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The Canadiens will welcome the Los Angeles Kings to the Bell Centre for their only visit to Montreal this season. Montreal will complete a three-game home stand in what has been a home-friendly schedule for the month of October.
GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens (2-2-0) vs Los Angeles Kings (1-1-2)
Roster News
Rafael Harvey-Pinard skated on his own on Thursday morning at the Bell Centre for the first time since surgery to repair his broken leg.
Jayden Struble joined the morning skate and has been cleared to play but will not be in the lineup against the Kings.
David Savard will play his 800th NHL game tonight.
Sam Montembeault (2-1-0 / 2.03 GAA / .941 SV% / 1 SO) is the confirmed starter for Montreal. Montembeault will make his third straight start and will be looking to bounce back after struggling against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was beaten five times on Monday night including twice by former Canadiens forward Lars Eller.
Last Game
The Canadiens blamed the loss on a slow start, spotting the Penguins and 2-0 lead before Kaiden Guhle got the Habs on the board before the end of the first. Montreal played one of their best periods of the season in the second period getting goals from Juraj Slafkovsky and Emil Heineman. Pittsburgh scored four consecutive goals for the win taking advantage of some shaky goaltending and poor defensive play from Montreal's veteran defensemen.
Last game: MTL 3 vs PIT 6 | F
Players to Watch
Emil Heineman - the 22-year-old is off to a great start to this season scoring two goals in three games.
Kaiden Guhle - Guhle leads the team in blocked shots (18) and plus-minus (+6) this season. He has also added four points in four games and is looking to stake a claim as the Habs number one defenseman this season.
Matchup for Game 5, Home Game 4
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC. | October 17, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, BSW
Pre-Game
Even though he is "ready to play", Marty St. Louis has chosen to leave Jayden Struble out of the starting lineup. St. Louis said. "If he hadn't missed time, I'm sure he might be in the lineup tonight."
Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
13 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
15 Alex Newhook - 77 Kirby Dach - 40 Joel Armia
17 Josh Anderson - 71 Jake Evans - 11 Brendan Gallagher
51 Emil Heineman - 28 Christian Dvorak - 91 Oliver Kapanen
Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson - 21 Kaiden Guhle
48 Lane Hutson - 58 David Savard
72 Arber Xhekaj - 52 Justin Barron
Goaltenders
Starter: 35 Sam Montembeault
Alternate: 30 Cayden Primeau
Out of the lineup
Scratches: Michael Pezzetta, Jayden Struble
Injuries: Carey Price, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Patrik Laine
Visiting Bench
This is the first of two games between the two teams. For the Kings, it's game five of a seven game road trip to start the season. They won't play in their home opener until October 24th. Los Angeles dropped a 6-2 decision to the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday night.
The Kings have won six consecutive games against Montreal.
Game Expectations
After a slow start to the season, Kirby Dach will look to get on track. The Canadiens are counting on having an effective second line and Dach is the key.
For daily updates on the Montreal Canadiens follow @RocketSports on X (Twitter.)
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