Just 10 games into his return from a preseason injury, Patrik Laine left Monday's game vs. Columbus with an upper-body injury and did not provide any updates post-game on the extent of the injury. Montreal's next game is Saturday vs. Florida where a further update should be provided. Laine has been a spark of energy since joining the team 10 games ago, with eight goals and nine points.
Montembeault and the Canadiens have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 15-5, and will continue to roll with the hot netminder on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Montembeault has a 2.85 GAA and .903 SV% in 27 appearances this season (12-13-2). The 28-year-old netminder has been excellent lately, posting a .929 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). The Canadiens enter Monday's contest as +117 road underdogs against a Blue Jackets squad coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Canadiens acquired Carrier from the Nashville Predators on Wednesday in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron. Carrier has not played since December 7th due to an upper-body injury. He joins the Canadiens after scoring 11 goals and 58 assists in 245 career games with the Predators.
Del Gaizo was placed on waivers Thursday afternoon and still suited up for the Predators in the evening, recording 14:38 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old Del Gaizo has three points (0G / 3A), 28 blocks, and 35 hits in 21 games this season.
Oskar Sundqvist will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing Texier to re-enter the lineup. The 25-year-old Texier is averaging 12:44 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 15 games this season.
After allowing nine goals on 52 shots (.827 SV%) in two games (0-2-0), Montembeault responded on Tuesday, saving 20 of 21 (.952 SV%) in a dominant 6-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. He will return to the crease on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings, looking to improved on his 2.92 GAA and .902 SV% through 25 games (10-13-2).
Carrier has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on December 7th but has reportedly been cleared to play. Carrier comes to the Habs after putting up 11 goals and 58 assists in 245 career games with the Predators.
The Penguins needed to create a roster spot after acquiring Pierre-Olivier Joseph from the Blues on Wednesday. Clurman has one goal and four assists in 16 AHL games this season and is yet to make his NHL debut.
Carrier has not played since December 7th and will remain out of the lineup on Tuesday but appears to be nearing a return to action. The 28-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), a -14 plus/minus, and 31 blocks in 28 games this season.
Oskar Sundqvist will draw back into the Blues' lineup on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils, sending Texier to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Texier is averaging 12:44 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 15 games this season.
The Canadiens have been outscored 13-4 in their last two games (0-2-0) but will roll with Montembeault between the pipes for a seventh consecutive game. The 28-year-old Montembeault is tied for the league lead with three shutouts but has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 3.01 GAA and .900 SV% in 24 games (9-13-2). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as +111 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club amid a 10-game losing skid (0-7-3).
Clurman was a sixth-round pick, 161st overall, of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has yet to play an NHL games. The 26-year-old defenseman has five points (1G / 4A) in 16 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Struble will slot in for David Savard, who was a surprise scratch due to an upper-body injury. Struble has two goals and three assists in 21 games this season.
Carrier exited Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators due to an upper-body injury in the third period after playing 15:39 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Carrier is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice through 28 games, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 49 blocks, 31 hits, and a career-worst -14 plus/minus. He will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.
The Canadiens will roll with Montembeault between the pipes for a fifth straight game on Thursday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 28-year-old Montembeault has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign but has strung together an impressive 11-game run (6-4-1), posting two shutouts and a solid .925 SV%. He has a 2.83 GAA and .906 SV% in 22 contests this season (9-11-2).
