Canadiens Pre Game
Canadiens Preview And Lines: Hurricanes To Sit Key Players
The Montreal Canadiens (39-31-11) are set to host the Carolina Hurricanes (47-28-5), with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.
It’s a fitting end to the regular season for the Habs, seeing as they can clinch a playoff berth by earning a single point against the Hurricanes. The chaotic season continues to earn its name.
Fortunately for head coach Martin St-Louis, the Hurricanes are planning on sitting several of their key players, including Jacob Slavin, Seth Jarvis, and Sebastian Aho.
Here is who is NOT on the ice for the #Canes at morning skate in Montreal:
• Sebastian Aho
• Jackson Blake
• Jalen Chatfield
• Seth Jarvis
• Jordan Martinook
• Jaccob Slavin
• Jordan Staal— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) April 16, 2025
Of course, just because Carolina is not icing its best lineup doesn’t mean the Habs can approach Wednesday’s game without intense focus, and much-better preparation than usual. The Canadiens have a tendency to offer their opponents easy goals in the first period, and that’s clearly an issue that needs to be put to rest.
If the Habs do fail to earn a point against Carolina, the Blue Jackets must win their game against the New York Islanders on Thursday, and they must win in regulation, but a Canadiens win would put an end to the slow, yet entertaining race toward the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
As for the Canadiens lineup, Samuel Montembeault will get the nod, while Oliver Kapanen will be forced to miss the game. Emil Heineman will take Kapanen’s place on the fourth line.
This connotes Ivan Demidov will one again play on the second line with Alex Newhook and Joel Armia. Beyond the fact that Demidov scored a goal and an assist within just a few shifts, the trio produced very encouraging numbers as soon as the 19-year-old forward was added to the mix.
Simply put, Demidov was a stabilizing presence, which is rather encouraging given his lack of NHL experience.
MUST READ: Ivan Demidov’s Immediate Impact Goes Beyond Points
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup
| Cole Caufield | Nick Suzuki | Juraj Slafkovsky |
| Patrik Laine | Alex Newhook | Ivan Demidov |
| Josh Anderson | Christian Dvorak | Brendan Gallagher |
| Emil Heineman | Jake Evans | Joel Armia |
| Mike Matheson | Alexandre Carrier |
| Kiaden Guhle | Lane Hutson |
| Jayden Struble | David Savard |
| Samuel Montembeault |
| Jakub Dobes |
Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lineup
Hall – Kotkaniemi- Svechnikov
Robinson – Jankowski – Stankoven
Carrier – Jost – Roslovic
Nadeau – Brind’Amour
Gostisbehere – Burns
Orlov – Walker
Stillman – Morrow/Fensore
Kochetkov
How to Watch the Montreal Canadiens vs. the Carolina Hurricanes, Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Game 82 of the regular season will be aired on RDS and Sportsnet. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.
Montreal Canadiens playoff odds via Money Puck.
Carolina’s 19 year old forward Bradly Nadeau may need to be checked very closely tonight. He scored 30 goals this year for the Chicago Wolves. He was playing on the same line as Ryan Suzuki which certainly helped augment his production a lot.
In a perfect world Caufield gets a hat trick, all assisted by Suzuki, with Hutson also factoring in on at least 2 of the goals. That way Caufield gets 40 goals, Suzuki gets 90 points and Hutson breaks the NHL record for most assists in a season by a rookie Dman. Not much to ask for, right? Oh ya, how about a freaking win?! And then there’s some guy named Demidov. I guess it would be cool to see him pull off some more magic too. 🤞😬
How about just a regulation win! No monkey business…
Get up by 3 or 4 goals come 3rd period…then we can “screw around” with personal accolades…..
I don’t think we’re going to get any of it unfortunately.
Its actually sad it has come to this….
The playoffs were a GUARANTEE last week at this time. Now they have to rely on a really good team sitting a bunch of good players and calling up 4 or 5 minors players – in a completely meaningless game for them – in order to get a win. Lucky situation, I guess.
In no universe should the Habs lose this game tonight…and there should be a greater chance they blow out the Canes than actually lose the game in regulation. But, the game is not played on paper.
That’s what I’m worried about…..
Caps also no showed both games against Columbus.