Canadiens Preview & Lines: Guhle Returns, Montembeault Starts

The Montreal Canadiens (10-13-3) are set to host the Washington Capitals (18-6-2) on Saturday night. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET. The Canadiens will attempt to earn their third win in a row for the first time this season. It won’t be easy, however, as the Capitals have enjoyed quite a resurgence this season.

This past week the Canadiens got a huge boost to their lineup when Patrik Laine made his much anticipated debut. It only took Laine a little over seven minutes into the second period to score against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. Two nights later the Habs played one of their best 60-minute games of the season against the visiting Nashville Predators. Already up 1-0 on a shorthanded goal by Jake Evans, Laine repeated his exploit, scoring his second goal in as many games.

Sam Montembeault made 59 saves on the 60 shots he faced in the two games in which Laine scored, and recorded his third shutout of the season, tying him for first in the NHL.  Fun fact to note; all his shutouts have been recorded at the Bell Centre this season. Given that he’s put together a few dominant performances, head coach Martin St-Louis will once again turn to Montembeault as the Canadiens face the Capitals.

There’s some good news from the health front, as defenceman Kaiden Guhle will return to the lineup, which will lead to Justin Barron watching the game from the press box as a healthy scratch.

ON TOPIC: Top 5 Positives Sniper Patrik Laine Provides The Canadiens

As for the Capitals, they’re having a great season despite playing the last while without their leader, captain Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals have gone 5-0-1 in their last six games, including a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday night. Their lone loss in the past two weeks was an overtime decision, dropping a 2-1 game to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

They got back in the win column when they slipped past the Maple Leafs 3-1 at the Scotiabank Arena Friday. Nic Dowd scored for the second straight game, with Connor McMichael breaking a 1-1 tie midway through the third period. The goal was McMichael’s 15th, tying his teammate Ovechkin for the team lead. Former Hab Charlie Lindgren made 20 saves en route to his eighth win of the year.

Ovechkin, who has missed the team’s past eight games out with a broken fibula, took to doing solo skates this past week, but there’s still no established timeline as for his potential return to play.

The Capitals will run with Logan Thompson, who has already secured 10 wins through 13 game, between the pipes versus the Habs.

This will be the second meeting between these two clubs this season. Back on Halloween night, Washington was victorious, doubling up on Montreal 6-3, led by Ovechkin’s three points.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Washington Capitals Projected Lineup

Protas – Strome – Wilson
McMichael – Dubois – Raddysh
Lapierre – Eller – Mangiapane
Duhaime – Dowd – Miroshnichenko

Fehervary – Carlson
Sandin – Roy
Chychrun – van Riemsdyk

Thompson

How to Watch The Montreal Canadiens vs. The Washington Capitals December 7, 2024.

Game 27 of the regular season will be aired on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, and City TV. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.