Canadiens Game 14: Changes With Potential Slafkovsky Suspension?

The Montreal Canadiens (6-6-1) return home for the second game in as many nights to face the resurging Vancouver Canucks (4-6-3) on Wednesday night at the Bell Centre. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.

The Canadiens will look to make it two wins in as many nights as they face the Canucks, who have been far more consistent as of late.

After weeks of having the top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and new addition Kirby Dach run the offence for the Canadiens, they received some help last night against the Red Wings. Mike Hoffman and Brendan Gallagher were far more involved offensively, contributing to the Canadiens’ two goals last night which helped the team get to a shootout, where their dynamic duo sealed the deal.

It will also be interesting to see what will happen to Juraj Slafkovsky, who was ejected from last night’s game after being assessed a boarding major after pushing forward Matt Luff into the boards in the third period. If he is to be suspended by NHL Player Safety, it is likely that the Canadiens will insert Michael Pezzetta in his stead, as the Canadiens would then have both Slafkovsky and Josh Anderson unavailable to play due to suspension.

https://montreal.nationalhockeynow.com/2022/11/08/canadiens-juraj-slafkovsky-thrown-out-game-for-boarding/

Samuel Montembeault, who has looked brilliant so far this season, is expected to start tonight’s game in the stead of Jake Allen, who was quite busy last night. The 26-year-old netminder has put up some impressive numbers so far in this young season, posting a 2.47 goals-against average and a 0.928 save percentage through four games.

The Canadiens need not take the Vancouver Canucks lightly tonight, as they seem to have found their scoring touch again with 18 goals in their last three games. Much of this offensive outburst has been led by captain Bo Horvat, who now has a whopping 12 goals in just 13 games for the Canucks this season, good for second in the NHL in that category.

Elias Petterson also seems to have awoken from his offensive slumber and quickly returned to his scoring ways with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 13 games; leading the Canucks offensively and completing a surprisingly potent duo with free-agent signing Andrei Kuzmenko.

The issue for the Canucks has been the inconsistency of their goaltending so far this season, as netminder Thatcher Demko has been a major source of frustration for them this season. The 26-year-old has put up good numbers in his last two seasons as the No. 1 goaltender for the Canucks, but, this season, his numbers have been underwhelming with a 3.90 goals-against average and a 0.879 save percentage.

If the Canucks have any hope of walking out with a two-game wining streak tonight, they’ll need their goaltender to provide some consistent play, as the Canadiens have quickly become a hard team to play against.

Canadiens

• Emil Heineman (IR)
• Mike Matheson (IR)
• Carey Price (LTIR)
• Paul Byron (LTIR)

Canucks

• Travis Dermott (IR)
• Tucker Poolman (IR)
• Curtis Lazar (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines

Canucks Projected Lines:

Pearson-Miller-Boeser

Kuzmenko-Pettersson-Mikheyev

Podkolzin-Horvat-Garland

Joshua-Aman-Studnicka

Defence:

Ekman-Larsson-Myers

Hughes-Schenn

Rathbone-Bear

Goalies:

Demko

Martin

Special Teams

Montreal Canadiens Game Notes:

How to Watch Or Listen