Upcoming game: Montreal Canadiens vs. New Jersey Devils at the Bell Center (7:30pm start).
Standings: 1st (League), 1st (Atlantic Division)
Injuries:
With injuries to two of there top their centers Montreal will be looking for some players to step up. Michael McCarron could help fill the void at center for the time being and Sven Andrighetto could also provide some added offence. Charles Hudon is another option but he is currently injured. If Montreal cannot find a solution internally they will have to turn to the trade market for solutions.
Montreal Canadiens vs. St. Louis Blues (Dec. 6th): Montreal was at the Scottrade Center on Tuesday and loses this game 3-2 in overtime after taking a 2-0 lead coming into the third. Goals from Paul Bryon and Tomas Plekanec, who finally found his way to the back of the net after only scoring 1 goal through his first 25 games. The habs give up there lead in the third after allowing two quick goals; the first coming with 12:20 remaining in the period and the second with 9:29 remaining in the period. Goals from Paul Stastny and Jaden Schwartz. Jaden Schwartz gets his second of the game and wins it for the St. Louis blues with a nice backhand shot. Starting in goal for the habs was goaltender Al Montoya after Carey Price getting the last 7 starts. Montreal was without star forward Alex Galchenyuk who suffered an injury in their last game versus the Kings. David Desharnais got hurt about five minutes into the third and did not return to the game. Montreal was without two of their top three centers. The St. Louis Blues are one of the best teams in the league at home this year and it would be no easy task to defeat them without Alex Galchenyuk and Carey Price who was sidelined for the game. The habs did get some offence from Tomas Plekanec who has been dry as of late and goalie Al Montoya played a solid game in nets. The Canadiens finish their road trip along the west coast 2-2-1 with a win over the Red Wings and the Kings and losses to the Sharks and the Ducks. Updates on Galchenyuk's and Desharnais' injuries will come in the following days.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Los Angeles Kings (Dec. 4th): Montreal was at the Staples Center on Saturday, coming into the game with back-to-back loses versus the Ducks and Sharks. Montreal ends up winning this game 5-4 in shootouts. There were no shortage of goals in this game and the Canadiens got goals from Radulov, Shaw and two from Pacioretty. Pacioretty finally breaks out with two goals after being criticized for his offensive production as of late. This was after being paired up with Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov on the first line. The line seemed to click right away with Pacioretty getting a goal early in the game. Pacioretty also hits the post late in the game almost giving the habs the win. Unfortunately, Montreal's leading scorer Alex Galchenyuk gets hurt in the third after getting tripped up by Anze Kopitar and doesn't return to the game. This is very bad news for the habs and further evaluation of his injury will take place in the next few days. The Kings get goals from Carter, Shore, Doughty and Lewis. This game goes to overtime where the score remains 4-4 so this game will need shootouts. Radulov scores a beauty in shootouts but it is Paul Bryon that gives Montreal the win. It was Carey Price in nets for the game and Montreal was facing former habs goalie Peter Budaj.
(Montreal Canadiens Regular Season Schedule 2016-17)