Florian Xhekaj was drafted in the fourth-round, 101st overall, by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game. He had 35 points (24G / 11A0 in 69 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL) last season.
Texier has not played since November 6th, was placed on the designated non-roster list, and ultimately placed on waivers on Thursday. The 26-year-old Texier has one assist while averaging 10:15 time-on-ice through eight games this season. He will report to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).
Evans was on the receiving end of a high hit from Washington's Tom Wilson in Thursday's 8-4 loss. Evans did not return to the game, exiting in the second period, but seems to have avoided a serious injury, as he could be an option to play on Saturday. The 29-year-old Evans has six points (3G / 3A) in 20 games this season.
Texier has not played since November 6th and has been placed on the designated non-roster list, with Jake Neighbours (lower body) set to return to the lineup. The 26-year-old Texier has one assist while averaging 10:15 time-on-ice through eight games this season.
The Canadiens have struggled lately, losing four straight (0-3-1) and being outscored 18-6. They will turn to Montembeault on Thursday, hoping to return to the win column against a Washington Capitals team playing the tail end of a back-to-back. The 29-year-old Montembeault allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, and has an ugly 3.56 GAA and .858 SV% in 11 appearances this season (4-5-1).
An injury to Matthew Knies (lower body) allowed Blais to draw into Toronto's lineup on Tuesday, but his appearance was short-lived, exiting the contest after only 6:31 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. That said, Blais seems no worse for wear, returning to practice on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Blais recorded an assist before his injury, giving him three points (1G / 2A) and 27 hits in seven games this season.
Blais will slot in for Matthew Knies, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Blais has one goal and one assist in six games this season.
With Kaiden Guhle (partially torn adductor muscle) out for 8-10 weeks, the Canadiens recalled Del Gaizo from Laval (AHL) for precautionary reasons, but he did not draw into the lineup. Del Gaizo played a career-high 46 games with the Nashville Predators last season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A), but was unable to crack Montreal's roster to start the season.
With Kaiden Guhle (partially torn adductor muscle) out for 8-10 weeks, the Canadiens have recalled Del Gaizo from Laval (AHL). Del Gaizo played a career-high 46 games with the Nashville Predators last season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A), but was unable to crack Montreal's roster to start the season.
The Canadiens have been outscored 15-3 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0), and hope to return to the win column on Monday with Dobes tending the twine after the Columbus Blue Jackets. After an outstanding start to the season, winning his first six outings, Dobes has struggled, allowing nine goals on 41 combined shots (.780 SV%) in his last two games (0-1-1). The 24-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.70 GAA and .901 SV% in eight games this season (6-1-1). The Canadiens enter Monday's contest as +111 road underdogs against the Blue Jackets.
Dach recently saw an uptick in deployment after Alex Newhook (fractured ankle) was injured earlier this week in a game against the Dallas Stars. However, Dach's elevated deployment lasted only one game, as he will be sidelined for the next several weeks due to a fractured ankle. The 24-year-old Dach scored seven points (5G / 2A) in 15 games with the Canadiens this season before his injury.
Guhle only played five games this season before suffering a lower-body injury with a 4-6 week recovery timeline. That said, the 23-year-old Guhle has suffered a setback, and will be sidelined a further 8-10 weeks due to a partially torn adductor muscle. The 23-year-old defenseman has 60 points (17G / 43A) in 174 career games with the Canadiens.
Newhook violently crashed feet-first into the board in Thursday's 7-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, exiting the game with a lower-body injury after only 5:54 time-on-ice. Despite being able to eventually skate off the ice with some assistance, the team announced on Friday that he will be sidelined for four months with a fractured ankle. The 24-year-old Newhook was off to a productive start this season, scoring 12 points (6G / 6A) in 17 games.
