Canadiens Game 62: NHL Trade Deadline, Lines Back To 12-6

The Montreal Canadiens (26-31-4) will be looking to get back to their winning ways against the Anaheim Ducks (20-34-8) on Friday night. The puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET.

Fresh off a hard-fought loss to the L.A. Kings the night prior, the Canadiens are right back in action tonight against the young Ducks.

Denis Gurianov, freshly acquired from the Dallas Stars in exchange for Evgenii Dadonov, is already impressing with the Canadiens since joining the team.

Playing on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Mike Hoffman, the 25-year-old winger has seemingly found a step in his game and has been showing off some exceptional skating ability, while utilizing his shot with more regularity.

Head coach Martin St-Louis has been rewarding him with some significant ice time as well, playing north of 17 minutes per game in his first couple of outings with the Habs.

Speaking of the future, Kaiden Guhle has returned to the Canadiens’ lineup and hasn’t missed a step.

The 21-year-old has stepped right back into a top role for the Canadiens, playing 20 minutes last night against the L.A. Kings and looking like Montreal’s most composed defenceman.

Unfortunately, another young defenceman in Justin Barron will likely be missing from tonight’s game; as general manager Kent Hughes confirmed that the youngster couldn’t be papered to the AHL today due to his injury status and is thus very doubtful for tonight’s game.

In net, the Canadiens will be turning to Sam Montembeault to come in to relieve Jake Allen, who played the last two games for the Habs, including last night against the Kings.

Montembeault continues to be a bright spot for the Canadiens this season, posting a 0.905 save percentage and a 3.31 goals-against average playing behind a very inexperienced and decimated club.

Ducks Fly Together

The Anaheim Ducks had a pretty respectable Trade Deadline, moving out veterans like John Klingberg in the process for some more draft capital.

The Ducks continue to ice a rather young team, led by the ever-exciting Trevor Zegras and the skilled Troy Terry.

Both players lead the Ducks in scoring and have been a big part of their identity so far this season, but one shouldn’t forget rookie Mason McTavish, who has also begun to get comfortable in the NHL.

Anaheim is unfortunately without their top piece on the back end in Jamie Drysdale, who went down early this year and is expected to miss the remainder of the season;

It’s been a massive blow to the Ducks’ defence, but Cam Fowler has stepped up and played his dependable, offensive game in his stead. The veteran defence has nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points in 62 games and looks on pace to beat his career-high of 42 points set last season.

The Ducks are expecting John Gibson to start against the Canadiens. The reputable goaltender has registered a 0.902 save percentage and a 3.94 goals-against average this season behind the Ducks’ injured defence.

Given their recent play and the way the Ducks have been sinking of late, the Canadiens are considered a -225 favourite in tonight’s game according to recent NHL betting odds.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game:

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Chris Wideman (Week-To-Week)
• Joel Armia (Day-To-Day)
• Kirby Dach (Out Indefinitely)
• Brendan Gallagher (Injured Reserve)
• Jake Evans (Injured Reserve)
• Arber Xhekaj (Injured Reserve)
• Juraj Slafkovsky (Injured Reserve)
• Cole Caufield (Injured Reserve)
• Sean Monahan (LTIR)
• Carey Price (LTIR)
• Paul Byron (LTIR)

Anaheim Ducks Injuries

• Jamie Drysdale (Injured Reserve)
• Urho Vaakanainen (Injured Reserve)
• Adam Henrique (Injured)
• Anthony Stolarz (Illness)

Montreal Canadiens Previous Lineup

Anaheim Ducks Projected Lineup

Strome-Zegras-Silfverberg

Jones-McTavish-Terry

Vatrano-Lundestrom-Leason

Comtois-Grant-Carrick

Defence:

Fowler-Shattenkirk

Beaulieu-White

Benoit-Harington

Goalies:

Gibson

Dostal

Special Teams

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