Kapanen will slot in for Patrik Laine, who was a surprise scratch due to an upper-body injury. Kapanen will skate with Joel Armia and Emil Heineman on the Habs' fourth line.
With Emil Heineman returning from an upper-body injury, Kapanen will be a healthy scratch vs. Carolina. Kapanen appeared in six straight games, failing to record a point with just three SOG and a minus-1 rating.
Kapanen played 12 games with the Canadiens earlier this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A), before being loaned to Timra IK (SHL). The 21-year-old was impressive with Timra IK, scoring 35 points (15G / 20A) in 36 games.
Kapanen was the 64th overall pick of the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Kapanen made his NHL debut this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games with the Canadiens.
Emil Heineman will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Kapanen to make his NHL debut. Kapanen was the second-round pick (64 overall) of the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old spent last season with KalPa Kuopio (SM-liiga), where he scored 34 points (14G / 20A) in 51 games.
Kapanen is Montreal's 2021 second-round pick (64th overall) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on Saturday with the Canadiens. The 20-year-old Finish centre spent 2023-24 with KalPa (Liiga) and had 14 goals, and 34 points in 51 games played.
