Canadiens Preview and Lines: Arber Xhekaj Returns To Lineup

The Montreal Canadiens (4-6-1) will face Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins (4-7-1) on Saturday, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

As it stands, the Canadiens are higher in the standings, but that’s only because they’ve played one fewer game, and it should be noted Pittsburgh has already triumphed against Montreal this season, doubling them up 6-3 on October 14.

The Canadiens have produced 32 goals this season, which is good for 19th in the NHL. The concerning aspect of their start is that nearly a third of those goals were scored by Cole Caufield (10), who enters Saturday’s game having scored in four straight. As for the team’s defensive play, their -15 goal differential is second-to-last in the NHL.

In their last two games, the Canadiens have allowed 14 goal. Starter Samuel Montembeault was yanked in Tuesday’s 8-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, and then Cayden Primeau gave up three in relief. Montembeault also allowed six goals when the Canadiens they lost to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

There is some good news to discuss, as the Canadiens’ powerplay is currently 11th in the NHL, featuring a 22 percent efficiency. The Habs have only failed to score a powerplay goal on two occasions this season.

Defenceman Justin Barron will not be in uniform against the Penguins. He will be a healthy scratch, making way for Arber Xhekaj’s return to the lineup. The Habs need a little more passion in the mix, and the oft-maligned defenceman has produced better underlying numbers than most Canadiens players in the last two seasons.

Goaltender Samuel Montembeault will get the start for the Habs.

On Topic: Martin St-Louis Sends Message To Struggling Canadiens With Bag Skates

With a nearly identical record to the Habs, the Penguins have also struggled to find their rhythm since the start of the year. The Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby duo has only contributed six goals to the cause, including the Crosby’s two-goal effort on Thursday versus the Anaheim Ducks.

For the view from the other side of the rink, we invite you to visit our sister site, Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Pittsburgh Penguins Projected Lineup

Malkin – Crosby – Rakell

O’Connor – Eller – Puustinen

Bunting – Glass – Acciari

Hayes – Lizotte – Puljujarvi

Grzelcyk – Letang

Pettersson – Karlsson

Graves – St. Ivany

Nedeljkovic

How to Watch The Montreal Canadiens vs. The Pittsburgh Penguins, November 2, 2024.

Game 12 of the regular season will be aired on TVA Sports, City TV, and Sportsnet East. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.