Canadiens Preview & Lines: Montembeault Set To Start Vs. Toronto

The Montreal Canadiens (4-8-2) are set to play their longtime rival Toronto Maple Leafs (8-5-2) on Saturday night, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

The Canadiens are coming off yet another loss, as they dropped a 5-3 decision versus the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, despite a two-goal performance by forward Alex Newhook.

There’s no way around it, the Habs are struggling this season, especially on the road, having won just one game away from the Bell Centre this season. Their offence has also been silenced of late; captain Nick Suzuki and phenom Cole Caufield both have been held off the scoresheet the past three games, while the team’s most productive defenceman, Mike Matheson, is pointless in the last four.

And we can’t forget about goaltender Samuel Montembeault, who has now gone four games without a win. He will be given the start against the Maple Leafs, the very same team against which Montembeault earned his first win and shutout of the season.

There are no other roster changes expected from head coach Martin St-Louis.

On Topic: Canadiens Instant Recap: Strong Effort Led By Alex Newhook

As for the Toronto Maple Leafs, they seem to have found their stride in recent games, including a 3-1 victory Friday night against the visiting Detroit Red Wings.

Their top players are no surprise, as their core four of Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and captain Auston Matthews lead the charge. On that note, it seems though Matthews’ goal-scoring prowess has declined, as evidenced by his five goals in 15 games this season. Last year, Matthews led the league in scoring with 69 goals. He was also placed on the injured reserve list on Friday, which means he will not be in uniform to face the Canadiens on Saturday night.

Toronto also has a couple of former Montreal Canadiens connections, as former Hab captain Max Pacioretty (2 goals, 4 assists), and Max Domi (6 assists) both play in the Big Smoke.

Backup Joseph Woll will likely get the nod for Toronto.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Caufield – Suzuki – Dach

Newhook – Evans – Slafkovsky

Gallagher – Dvorak – Anderson

Heineman – Condotta – Armia

Matheson – Guhle

Hutson – Savard

Xhekaj – Struble

Montembeault

Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lineup

Knies – Domi – Marner

Pacioretty – Tavares – Nylander

McMann – Holmberg – Robertson

Lorentz – Kampf – Reaves

Rielly – Ekman-Larsson

McCabe – Tanev

Benoit – Timmins

Woll

How to Watch The Montreal Canadiens vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, Saturday, November 9, 2024.

Game 15 of the regular season will be aired on TVA Sports, and Sportsnet. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.