Canadiens Game 4: Barron Makes Season Debut Against Capitals

The Montreal Canadiens (1-1-1) will host Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (1-2-0) at the Bell Centre on Saturday night. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Despite the team’s ridiculous streak of bad luck on the injury front, the Canadiens have produced some very encouraging 5v5 numbers in the early parts of the season.

For the most part, their defensive situation is looking very good, although losing Kaiden Guhle will certainly lower the talent level on the blue line. Offensively, the Habs have outscored their opponents 8-1 during 5v5 play, a rather impressive pace that has been overshadowed by sea the eternal sadness provided by the team’s woeful powerplay.

Joel Armia was recently recalled from the AHL, but he will not play against the Capitals. That means that Michael Pezzetta will once again be in the lineup.

As for the defence, Justin Barron will make his season debut, filling in for Guhle on the blue line.

Jake Allen will receive the start for the Canadiens. Samuel Montembeault will serve as his backup.

Écoutez les propos d’avant-match de l’équipe en vue de l’affrontement de ce soir contre les Capitals

Tune in now to live pregame media ops ahead of tonight’s game against the Capitals#GoHabsGo https://t.co/rCdT4eX4dr

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 21, 2023

Washington Capitals

The Canadiens’ lack of injury luck doesn’t just extend to their own lineup. Three former Habs will miss the matchup at the Bell Centre: Max Pacioretty, Charlie Lindgren, and Joel Edmundson. Pacioretty is recovering from his second Achilles heel tear, Edmundson has suffered a fractured hand, and Lindgren has an upper-body injury.

The Capitals are having a very hard time this season. They’ve been outscored 12-4 in their first three games of the year.

Sniper Alex Ovechkin is yet to find his ryhthm this season, sitting with just one assist in three games. Surprisingly, Ovechkin only has four shots on net in that timeframe, well below his historical average.

With that in mind, the Canadiens should not take Ovechkin lightly, especially when we consider his past success against the team. In 57 matchups against the Habs, Ovechkin has scored 37 goals and 27 assists.

Darcy Kuemper is expected to be given the start for the Capitals.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Kaiden Guhle (day-to-day)
• Kirby Dach (MCL/ACL, out for the remainder of the season)
• Carey Price (LTIR)
• Christian Dvorak (LTIR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)

Washington Capitals Injuries

• Charlie Lindgren (IR)
• Nic Dowd (day-to-day)
• Joel Edmundson (IR)
• Max Pacioretty (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Washington Capitals Projected Lineup

Ovechkin – Strome – Phillips

McMichael – Kuznetsov – Oshie

Milano – Backstrom – Wilson

Malentsyn – Protas – Mantha

Defence:

Sandin – Carlson

Fehervary – Van Riemsdyk

Haman Aktell – Jensen

Goalies:

Kuemper

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