Canadiens Game 11: Line Changes Expected Against St-Louis

The Montreal Canadiens (5-3-2) are in Missouri on Saturday night to face the St-Louis Blues (3-4-1). The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Sean Monahan continues to drive the offence from the third line, helped along by Tanner Pearson and Brendan Gallagher, two other players who are enjoying a resurgence.

The top line has also played well this season, but they’ll be without Rafael Harvey-Pinard, as he had to leave Thursday’s game after suffering a lower-body injury. There was some good news in his case, at least relative to the type of news the Canadiens usually receive when it comes to injured players. Harvey-Pinard is only listed as day-to-day, a best-case scenario considering the injury looked rather serious.

Harvey-Pinard was not present at practice on Saturday morning.

While the first and third line has thrived, the second line has struggled. Josh Anderson, Juraj Salfkovsky, and Alex Newhook are not just producing some of the worst underlying numbers in recent Canadiens history, but all three players have failed to make an impact.

Christian Dvorak is expected to make his season debut, having recovered from his knee injury which kept him out of the lineup for the first 10 games of the year.

Michael Pezzetta will also re-enter the lineup after skipping one game. The truculent fourth liner has played quite well in limited minutes this season.

Martin St-Louis confirme que Christian Dvorak disputera son premier match de la saison ce soir. Michael Pezzetta prendra la place de Jesse Ylönen dans la formation.

St-Louis confirms that Dvorak will make his season debut against the Blues. Pezzetta is in for Ylönen.#GoHabsGo

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 4, 2023

Samuel Montembeault will be given the start for the Canadiens, with Jake Allen serving as his backup.

We don’t have the exact lineup that will face the Blues yet, we will have to wait for confirmation from head coach Martin St-Louis once the lines hit the ice.

As for the Blues, the Canadiens will once again face a team that played the previous night, while they arrive at the rink rested. The Blues beat the mighty New Jersey Devils on Thursday, quite a feat when we consider the Devils seem poised to challenge for the Stanley Cup.

Jordan Binnington was excellent against the Devils, however, it’s unlikely he will be given the start against Montreal. Expect Joel Hofer to guard the net for the Blues.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• David Savard (out 6-8 weeks)
• Rafael Harvey-Pinard (day-to-day)
• Carey Price (IR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)
• Kirby Dach (out indefinitely, ACL/MCL)

St-Louis Blues Injuries

• Joshua Jacobs (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

St-Louis Blues

Buchnevich – Thomas – Kapanen

Saad – Schenn – Kyrou

Toropchenko – Hayes – Vrana

Blais – Sundqvist – Neighbours

Defence:

Leddy – Parayko

Krug – Faulk

Scandella – Bortuzzo

Goalies:

Hofer

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