Training: Sean Monahan with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield – Canada Boosts

The Montreal Canadiens held a apply this morning on the Bell Centre in preparation for tonight’s recreation towards the Detroit Purple Wings.

The very first thing on everybody’s thoughts was the state of well being of the staff’s many injured gamers.

It was instantly apparent that Arber Xhekaj had been coaching along with his team-mates this morning.

He’s not anticipated to play tonight, nonetheless, if the defensive trios and pairs are something to go by.

Renaud Lavoie had stated that Xhekaj would return to motion this week, which doesn’t appear to be the case to this point.

Nonetheless, it’s excellent news to see the Sheriff skating.

As for tonight’s line-up now, properly, with the (long-term) injury to Alex Newhook, just a few adjustments have been to be anticipated.

The primary massive change is one which many have been calling for for fairly a while, and that’s to see Sean Monahan on the wing of the primary trio together with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

Hopefully, this may assist Monahan get again on observe, as he has no factors in his final eight video games.

As for the remainder of the lineup, properly, with a middle spot left vacant by Monahan’s promotion to the wing of the primary trio, it’s Mitchell Stephens who will probably be inserted into the lineup at middle of the fourth trio.

He’ll play his first recreation in a Canadiens uniform.
Michael Pezzetta would be the ahead not noted tonight as soon as once more.

As for the remainder of the line-up, we will see that with all of the accidents, it’s beginning to get quite a bit much less thrilling after the primary trio.

The middle line is struggling, and it’s a disgrace to see younger Juraj Slafkovsky, who’s been enjoying some nice hockey currently, on a 3rd line with Jake Evans and Tanner Pearson.

The identical could be stated of Jesse Ylönen, who’s having a superb time this season, however finds himself on a fourth line with Mitchell Stephens and Joel Armia.

On protection, there aren’t any adjustments to the pairings used on Thursday towards the Florida Panthers.
In web, Jake Allen ought to get the beginning tonight towards the Purple Wings.

The CH presently has 23 gamers on its roster, on condition that Alex Newhook has been positioned on the injured checklist, whereas Arber Xhekaj stays there.
Because of this 13 forwards (together with Stephens and Pezzetta), seven defensemen and three goalkeepers are presently in Montreal.
Notice that David Savard skated solo earlier than coaching.

David Savard pic.twitter.com/2Wd3MVIzxx

– Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 2, 2023

Briefly, let’s see how this battered Canadiens line-up fares towards the Purple Wings, who’ve been in superb type of late.

Earlier than the sport, Montreal Alouettes gamers will probably be honoured for his or her Gray Cup win.

In a gust

– Lovely second.

– Emil Heineman could possibly be recalled quickly.

– Joshua Roy is in impartial proper now with the Rocket.