Habs Game 64: Montembeault Starts, Pezzetta Returns To Lineup

The Montreal Canadiens (24-29-10) are set to host the Toronto Maple Leafs (36-19-8). The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm ET.

The Habs are fresh off a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. For the first time in a long time, Montreal failed to control the flow of the game. Throughout January and February, the Canadiens have improved their underlying number significantly while also avoiding wins, the perfect way to put an end to a rebuilding season.

But despite the loss, there was a clear silver lining when evaluating the play of the young forwards.

And no, it didn’t have anything to do with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, or Juraj Slafkovsky. Rather, it was Joshua Roy who stole the show thanks to his high-end anticipation, his offensive prowess, and his defensive acumen.

Roy could end up heading back to the Laval Rocket in the AHL to provide reinforcements for the playoffs, but as it stands, it’s fair to say the 20-year-old belongs in the NHL.

Samuel Montembeault will start for the Canadiens, marking the first game this season in which head coach Martin St-Louis only had to pick between two goaltenders given that Jake Allen was moved to the New Jersey Devils on Friday as part of the Trade Deadline action.

Forward Michael Pezzetta will feature in the lineup against the Leafs, with Jesse Ylonen making his way to the press box to allow for the roster change.

As for the Leafs, they’re coming off a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, a possible early preview of their first-round NHL matchup. There’s also a decent chance Toronto will face the Florida Panthers, leaving them with another difficult road through the playoffs.

Auston Matthews has already reached the 50-goal mark, whereas William Nylander and Mitch Marner have already banked over 50 assists.

There’s a significant gap between those three and the next top scorer, John Tavares, who has 19 goals and 26 assists this season. Morgan Rielly leads the offensive charge from the blueline, with seven goals and 39 assists.

Toronto is one of the top powerplay teams in the league, which, in turn, has led to them becoming one of the most efficient goal-scoring teams in the NHL.

Their underlying numbers aren’t as impressive as they once were, but make no mistake, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still one of the most talented teams around.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Carey Price (IR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)
• Kirby Dach (out indefinitely, ACL/MCL)
• Colin White (out)
• Christian Dvorak (out)

Toronto Maple Leafs Injuries

• Ty Voit (out)
• Jake Muzzin (IR)
• John Klingberg (IR)
• Matt Murray (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lineup

Knies – Matthews – Marner

Bertuzzi – Domi – Nylander

McMann – Tavares – Jarnkrok

Gregor – Kampf – Reaves

Defence

Brodie – McCabe

Rielly – Lyubushkin

Benoit – Liljegren

Goalie

Woll

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