Canadiens Game 70: Primeau To Start, Lineup Changes

The Montreal Canadiens (25-32-12) are set to face the Seattle Kraken (28-28-13) at Climate Pledge Arena. The puck drop is scheduled for 9 pm ET.

The Habs have not played since their Thursday-night matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. There weren’t many positives to take from the 4-1 loss. Unlike previous losses, the Canadiens did not manage to outplay their opponents, as Vancouver outworked them by a very wide margin.

The lone silver lining was the play of Juraj Slafkovsky.

The 19-year-old forward scored his 15th goal of the year when he tipped a Cole Caufield point shot. This means Slafkovsky is now on pace to register 45 points during his sophomore season (pro-rated, 82 games). It’s not exactly jaw-dropping production when you consider he was a first-overall pick, but there’s no point in comparing Slafkovsky to other players who were chosen first overall. Given the lack of a bonafide elite talent in the 2022 draft, the Canadiens decided to pick a player with the right tools to one day make a significant impact in the NHL.

What we’re seeing this season is a Slafkovksy who is playing with much more confidence, and is slowly but surely improving every aspect of his game.

The Habs desperately needed a goal, so Juraj Slafkovsky obliged with a very nice tip.

His scoring streak extends to six games. pic.twitter.com/wDqvJE11bG

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 22, 2024

Cayden Primeau will be starting the game for the Canadiens.

The other lineup changes include Jesse Ylonen replacing Tanner Pearson, as well as Jayden Struble replacing Johnathan Kovacevic.

MUST READ: Montreal Canadiens Top Forwards Since All-Star Break

As for the Kraken, things have not exactly gone to plan.

After enjoying a great sophomore season in the NHL, the Kraken are now on the outside looking in when it comes to the Western Conference playoff race, and time is running out. Seattle only has 13 games left on the docket, and they trail the Vegas Golden Knights by 12 points for the final Wild Card spot.

Jared McCann leads the team in scoring with just 54 points in 68 games, one of the lowest-producing leading scorers among all NHL teams.

Matty Berniers managed to produce an impressive 24 goals and 33 assists lin 2022-23, his second season in the NHL. This year, however, he’s slowed down considerably, as he’s scored a grand total of 10 goals and 18 assists in 64 games.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

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

Seattle Kraken Injuries

• Vince Dunn (day-to-day)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Seattle Kraken Projected Lineup

Tolvanen – Beniers – Eberle

Schwartz – McCann – Burakovsky

Tanev – Gourde – Bjorkstrand

Tatar – Bellemare – Kartye

Defence

Dumoulin – Schultz

Oleskiak – Borgen

Evans – Larsson

Goalie

Daccord

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