Canadiens Preseason: Anderson Top Line, Slafkovsky Second Line

The Montreal Canadiens (1-3-0) are headed to Ontario on Monday night to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (3-2-0). The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Despite a strong showing from a statistical standpoint, the Habs dropped two games in a row to the Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre and will look to avenge their lack of shooting luck during their penultimate game of the preseason schedule.

The Canadiens have since made several rounds of cuts, including sending 2023 first-round pick David Reinbacher back to the NL so he can play big minutes for EHC Kloten.

On Monday we the saw return of Mike Matheson to practice, who has held out of the lineup for preventative reasons. He will not face the Leafs, but his presence at practice was a good sign nonetheless.

Mike Matheson, who had been sidelined with lower-body injury, is on ice this morning in Brossard for Canadiens practice #Habs #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/wtQBKDVbku

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) October 2, 2023

As for the Canadiens’ lines, we’ll see Josh Anderson used on the top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

Juraj Slafkovsky will play with Kirby Dach and Rafael Harvey-Pinard, a line that has produced some very interesting results since they were put together. They’ve enjoyed a significant advantage in terms of underlying numbers, which is usually a good sign in terms of creating sustainable offence.

Good work by RHP and Dach to find Slafkovsky. He gets a breakaway, but can't beat Jones, who steps on the puck.

Slafkovsky keeps improving throughout the preseason. pic.twitter.com/B7hljRIXmu

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 1, 2023

Prospects Emil Heineman and Jesse Ylonen are slated to play on the fourth line, anchored by veteran Jake Evans.

Defensively, Arber Xhekaj will play with Johnathan Kovacevic on the top pairing, whereas Jordan Harris will play with Logan Mailloux on the third pairing.

Goaltender Jake Allen will make the start for the Canadiens with Cayden Primeau serving as his backup.

It should be noted that neither Gustav Lindstrom, Alex Newhook, nor Joel Armia were present at practice, and will not face the Maple Leafs due to upper-body injuries.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs are icing a lineup that will be similar to the one they use once the regular season begins. It includes Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, and John Tavares.

Toronto is also giving forward Matthew Knies a fifth preseason game, though you’d be hard-pressed to argue he doesn’t deserve the extended audition. Knies has been excellent during the preseason, particularly against the Canadiens.

The @MapleLeafs roster for tonight’s preseason game versus Montréal at @ScotiabankArena. pic.twitter.com/8rxt3tMq21

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 2, 2023

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Carey Price
• Mike Matheson (preventative)
• Christian Dvorak (week-to-week)

Toronto Maple Leafs Injuries

• John Klingberg (day-to-day)
• Calle Jarnkrok (day-to-day)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines

Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Roster

Forwards

Bertuzzi – Matthews – Marner

Domi – Nylander – Robertson

Knies – Tavares – Lafferty

Gregor – Kampf – Lafferty

Defensemen

Rielly – Bodie

McCabe – Lijlegren

Benoit – Kokkonen

Goalies

Samsonov

Petruzelli

Game Notes:

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