Canadiens Game 24: Kovacevic Returns, Gallagher Injured

The Montreal Canadiens (12-10-1) face the Edmonton Oilers (13-11-1) on Saturday night at Rogers Place. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM ET.

It’s the second game of their western road trip, and the Canadiens will aim to make it two wins in a row following a hard-fought battle against the Calgary Flames that resulted in a 2-1 win.

The Oilers, on the other hand, are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

As per usual, Connor McDavid leads the Oilers in scoring, with an impressive 19 goals and 24 assists in 24 games, followed closely by Leon Draisaitl, who has earned 16 goals and 22 assists in the same number of games.

The Oilers have also received healthy production from other forwards, such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (25 pts), and Zach Hyman (24 points), but their goaltending has let them down on several occasions.

Jack Campbell, who signed a 5-year, 25-million dollar contract with the Oilers this summer, has struggled to find his rhythm, posting a 4.12 goals-against average, as well as a frightening 0.872 save percentage.

Unfortunately for the Canadiens, it’s backup Stuart Skinner who will make the start for the Oilers. Skinner has enjoyed much healthier results in his 12 games this summer, with a 2.91 goals against average and a 0.917 save percentage.

Samuel Montembeault has been the much better goalie this season, but Jake Allen is coming off a 45-save win against the Flames, and St-Louis will ride his hot hand for the time being.

Brendan Gallagher will miss his second game in a row. Rem Pitlick, who was called up from the Laval Rocket once Mike Hoffman was added to the injured reserve, missed Thursday’s game against Calgary because his flight did not arrive in time. But expect Pitlick to take his rightful place on the fourth line rather than Chris Wideman, who filled in for Pitlick against the Flames.

Johnathan Kovacevic will return to the lineup, whereas Jordan Harris and Chris Wideman will watch the game from the press box.

The game will be a homecoming of sorts for rookie Kaiden Guhle, who grew up in Sherwood Park and attended many games at Rogers Place.

Sean Monahan earned two assists against his former team on Tuesday night and will aim to continue his impressive scoring pace of late. Monahan has two goals and four assists in his last 5 games.

Seeing as they’re coming off a win, the Canadiens are expected to ice roughly the same lineup as they did against Calgary. We will update the lines if any new information becomes available.

Canadiens Injuries

• Brendan Gallagher (day-to-day)
• Mike Hoffman (injured reserve)
• Jonathan Drouin (upper-body injury, 4-6 weeks)
• Carey Price (LTIR)
• Paul Byron (LTIR)

Oilers Injuries 

• Kailer Yamomoto (IR)
• Mike Smith (IR)
• Oskar Klefbom (IR)
• Warren Foegle (day-to-day)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Edmonton Oilers Projected Lineup

Draisaitl – McDavid – Hyman

Janmark – Hopkins – Puljujarvi

Kostin – Shore – Ryan

Holloway – Malone – Hamblin

Defence:

Nurse – Ceci

Kulak – Barrie

Broberg – Bouchard

Goalies:

Skinner

Campbell

Special Teams

Game Notes:

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