Caufield was limited to 10:27 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, leaving the game due to an illness, but is anticipated to be in the lineup when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Caufield is pacing for career-bests in all major offensive categories this season, scoring 64 points (37G / 27A) through 63 games.
Fowler had a brief stint with Montreal earlier this season in an attempt to rejuvenate a weak crease, but the team's struggles have continued, which may have awarded Fowler another opportunity. The 21-year-old Fowler has been playing with Laval (AHL) since mid-January, but he was serviceable in limited action with Montreal, posting a 2.62 GAA and .902 SV% in 10 games (4-4-2).
Montreal has failed to get consistent goaltending all season, but Dobes has solid outings in his last three and will return to the crease on Tuesday against a Toronto Maple Leafs team on a dreadful seven-game losing streak (0-5-2). The 24-year-old Dobes saved 36 of 39 shots (.923 SV%) in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings, giving him a 3.78 GAA and .874 SV% in four games since the beginning of February (2-1-1).
Xhekaj will return to the Habs lineup after sitting out each of their last two games. Jayden Struble will sit in his place.
Struble will take a seat on Friday in favour of Arber Xhekaj. Struble is yet to score a goal in 41 games this season, but has managed to pick up nine assists from the back-end.
After allowing six goals in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the San Jose Sharks, Jakub Dobes will serve as Montreal's backup on Friday, allowing Montembeault to return to the crease for the first time in over a week. The Canadiens have received shaky performances between the pipes regardless of who they turn to, as evident by Montembeault's most recent outing, when he allowed four goals on 26 shots in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old Montembeault has a 2.96 GAA and .896 SV% in nine games (5-2-2) since returning from a conditioning stint with the Laval Rocket (AHL).
The Canadiens are coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals, courtesy of a 27-save performance by Dobes; as such, he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has been solid in recent games, dating back to before the Olympic break, winning seven of his last eight games (7-0-1) while posting a 2.96 GAA and .892 SV%. The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -127 road favourites against a Sharks team on a two-game winning streak.
Veleno has not played since the NHL resumed after the Olympic break, and he did not practice on Monday due to an illness. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 12:14 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 49 games this season.
Montembeault has had a disappointing 2025-26 season, but will hope to pick up where he left off in his final outing before the Olympic break, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Troubles aside, the 29-year-old Montembeault was performing better after returning from a conditioning stint in the AHL in late December, posting a 2.84 GAA and .902 SV% in his last eight outings (5-2-1). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -142 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that entered the break on a two-game winning streak.
Montembeault has had a disappointing 2025-26 season, but will hope to pick up where he left off in his final outing before the Olympic break, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Troubles aside, the 29-year-old Montembeault was performing better after returning from a conditioning stint in the AHL in late December, posting a 2.84 GAA and .902 SV% in his last eight outings (5-2-1). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -142 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that entered the break on a two-game winning streak.
With Alex Newhook (ankle) set to return from a multi-month absence, Bolduc will exit the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Bolduc has 23 points (10G / 13A) in 57 games this season and had five points (0G / 5A) in Montreal’s final seven games heading into the Olympic break.
Newhook has been sidelined since mid-November due to a fractured ankle, but is set to return to Montreal's lineup in their first game back from the Olympic break on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old Newhook is averaging 14:38 time-on-ice and has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 17 games this season.
