Canadiens Preview And Lines: Dobes Starts Vs. Kraken, Laine

The Montreal Canadiens (31-27-6) are set to face the Seattle Kraken (27-34-4), with the puck drop set for 10:3o pm ET.

The Habs are fresh off a well-deserved 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, banking two crucial points which will go a long way in ensuring the team maintains some semblance of hope when it comes to playoff hockey.

Okay, well-deserved is perhaps a little too generous if we’re discussing the entire team.

The first line deserved to enjoy a win, as evidenced by the fact that they’re the only trio that continues to provide consistency in the offensive zone. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were great against the Canucks, but it was probably Juraj Slafkovsky who stole the show thanks to some excellent work in transition, not to mention a much higher shot rate than what we’ve come to expect from the youngest player in the lineup.

You can tell Slafkovsky is playing with confidence when he does not hesitate to shoot. That doesn’t happen often, at least not enough, but we’re seeing significant improvements in that crucial aspect of his game. And once the shots start flowing, that confidence translates into better results in the neutral zone, which, in turn, makes life easier on Suzuki, the player who is usually tasked with most transition plays.

ON TOPIC: Habs Highlights: Slafkovsky, Caufield, And Suzuki Want Playoff Hockey

Jakub Dobes will take over from Samuel Montembeault on Wednesday night, and though the rookie netminder is sporting a very impressive .913 save percentage this season, he will need a little run support if he’s to secure his seventh win of the year.

The top trio will once again be looked upon to lead the charge, but that’s simply not a sustainable strategy if the Canadiens are to qualify for playoff hockey. At some point, the Habs will need offence from a line that is not centred by Suzuki.

This will be the second and final time these two teams meet this season. The Kraken flat-out dominated the Canadiens on the scoreboard on October 29, emerging with an 8-2 win. Believe it or not, the Habs actually held an edge in high-danger chances at 5v5 that night, but that fact was understandably lost in the frustration that ensued.

The only potential change beyond the goaltending situation would see Patrik Laine return to play, having recovered from his latest bout with the flu. If Laine is ready to play, expect Michael Pezzetta to make his way to the press box.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Seattle Kraken Projected Lineup

Schwartz – Beniers – Kakko

McCann – Wright – Burakovsky

Tolvanen – Stephenson – Eberle

Eyssimont – Hayden – Kartye

Dunn – Larsson

Oleksiak – Montour

Evans – Mahura

Grubauer

How to Watch the Montreal Canadiens vs. the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Game 65 of the regular season will be aired on RDS, and TSN2. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.