Canadiens Game 63: Emergency Recall, Defence Shuffle?

The Montreal Canadiens (26-32-4) are set  to finish off their west-coast swing against the Vegas Golden Knights (34-20-8) on Sunday night. The puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.

After two consecutive losses in back-to-back games against the L.A. Kings and Anaheim Ducks, the Canadiens look to finish their road trip with an even split with a victory in Las Vegas.

They might have to do so without two of their most promising youngsters on defence, Kaiden Guhle and Justin Barron.

Although Guhle finished the game against the Ducks on Friday night, he looked to be in considerable discomfort after the hit below and his participation in tonight’s game is questionable.

Complete nightmare season of injuries continues…

Looks like Kaiden Guhle just seriously hurt his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/s3NCBDEozS

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) March 4, 2023

As for Barron, he missed Friday’s game with an upper-body injury; an official prognosis on his condition has not been given by the team.

Due to all this uncertainty, newly acquired defenceman Frédéric Allard has been recalled on an emergency basis from the Laval Rocket after just being acquired from the L.A. Kings on Friday.

The 25-year-old, who was fortuitously still in California as of yesterday, was recalled to join the Canadiens in Vegas, given his geographical proximity to tonight’s game.

If he were to suit up tonight, it would be Allard’s second career game in the NHL.

The Canadiens have recalled defenseman Frédéric Allard from the Laval Rocket (emergency recall).

He will be available to play tomorrow against the Golden Knights in Vegas.#GoHabsGo

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 5, 2023

Jake Allen will start for the Canadiens.

Golden Run

The Vegas Golden Knights are now pushing full steam toward the NHL playoffs.

After having acquired Jonathan Quick and Ivan Barbashev at the NHL Trade Deadline, the Golden Knights now have some notable spark in their game.

Most notable of the bunch of late has been Jack Eichel, who has five goals and two assists in his last five games.

Vegas’ franchise player has been pulling the Golden Knights ahead offensively, especially amid all the injuries to top players like Mark Stone.

Newly acquired Jonathan Quick is now confirmed to be getting the start against the Canadiens after being traded twice over this last week.

The veteran goaltender will be motivated to perform against the Canadiens, given how things went down with the L.A. Kings this past week.

Your full pre-game report below:

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Chris Wideman (Week-To-Week)
• Joel Armia (Day-To-Day)
• Justin Barron (Injured)
• 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)

Vegas Golden Knights Injuries

• Robin Lehner (LTIR)
• William Carrier (Injured)
• Nolan Patrick (LTIR)
• Mark Stone (LTIR)
• Logan Thompson (Injured Reserve)
• Laurent Brossoit (Injured Reserve)
• Nicolas Roy ( Day-To-Day)

Montreal Canadiens Previous Lineup

Vegas Golden Knights Projected Lineup

Barbashev-Eichel-Marchessault

Smith-Karlsson-Amadio

Cotter-Stephenson-Kessel

Howden-Blueger-Kolesar

Defence:

Hague-Pietrangelo

McNabb-Theodore

Martinez-Whitecloud

Goalies:

Quick

Thompson

Special Teams

How to Watch Or Listen

TV

RDS, TSN2, ATTSN-RM

Radio

Montreal Canadiens: TSN 690 – 98,5FM