Habs Game 62: Struble Returns, Slafkovsky Game-Time Decision

The Montreal Canadiens (23-28-10) are in Nashville to face the Predators (35-25-2) at Bridgestone Arena. The puck drop is scheduled for 8 pm ET.

Fans may be sick of hearing it, but despite the lack of success in recent weeks, the Canadiens are playing some of their best hockey since head coach Martin St-Louis took over from Dominique Ducharme.

It’s a delicate balance, but one that’s working out well when it comes to the long-term rebuild plans.

The Canadiens are improving their process, but for the most part, they have avoided adding any useless points to their record, which has the added benefit of improving their draft lottery odds.

On Saturday, they did bank one unnecessary point when they lost to the Tampa Bay Lighting in the shootout, but it was yet another strong effort from most of the lineup.

Oft-maligned forward Josh Anderson had his best game of the season, and not just because he scored his first goal since January 11. He led all Canadiens players in a bevy of important metrics. It’s too late for Anderson to salvage his season when it comes to his production, but it’s always encouraging to see a struggling player enjoy a modicum of success.

Jake Allen will get the start on Tuesday, marking just the eighth time he has been named as the team’s starter in 2024. Jayden Struble will face the Predators after missing a few games due to a minor injury, which means Johnathan Kovacevic will make his way to the press box to allow for Struble’s presence in the lineup.

The youngest player in the lineup, Juraj Slafkovsky, will be a game-time decision due to a lingering health issue. If he’s unable to take to the ice, forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard will serve as the team’s insurance policy.

MUST READ: Canadiens Rebuild: A Silver Lining Emerges Amid Difficult Stretch

As for the Predators, they may very well be the hottest team in the NHL.

They’ve won eight games in a row, which has led to a surprising surge in the standings. The team quickly went from an organization that was expected to sell their players at the deadline, including goaltender Juuse Saros, to a team that may be looking to add reinforcements ahead of a playoff run.

Filip Forsberg leads the team in scoring, with 29 goals and 33 assists, but defenceman Roman Josi is just one point behind, with 15 goals and 46 assists.

He’s also their hottest player at the moment, both literally and figuratively. Josi has four goals and five assists in the last 10 games, therefore the Canadiens will have to pay special attention to the former Norris Trophy winner if they want any chance to end Nashville’s winning streak.

For the view from the other side of the rink don’t forget to visit our sister site, Nashville Hockey Now.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Carey Price (IR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)
• Kirby Dach (out indefinitely, ACL/MCL)
• Rafael Harvey-Pinard (day-to-day)
• Christian Dvorak (out)
• Juraj Slafkovsky (day-to-day)

Nashville Predators Injuries

• Luke Evangelista (day-to-day)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Nashville Predators Projected Lineup

Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist

Trenin – Sissons – Glass

Jankowski – Novak – Glass

Smith – McCarron – Sherwood

Defence

Josi – Fabbro

McDonagh – Schenn

Lauzon – Carrier

Goalie

Saros

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