Martin St-Louis makes significant changes to his lineup ahead of the confrontation against the Senators
Martin St-Louis appears to have decided to rest his top players for tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators, signaling the Montreal Canadiens' head coach's desire to minimize injury risks as the regular season approaches.
He certainly wouldn't want a repeat of a Patrik Laine-type incident.
Key players such as Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and defensemen Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble, and David Savard will sit out tonight's game. Sam Montembeault is expected to start in goal, according to Eric Engels.
- Eric Engels
With these veterans out, it's a golden opportunity for several young players to prove their worth ahead of the final roster cuts, which could happen as early as this weekend. Christian Dvorak is expected to center the first line, while Oliver Kapanen has another chance to impress and potentially secure a regular spot in the 2024-2025 lineup.
Arber Xhekaj and Logan Mailloux will be under close scrutiny tonight, as their performances could determine whether they start in Montreal or Laval. With Jayden Struble and Justin Barron seemingly ahead in the pecking order, Xhekaj and Mailloux will need strong showings to stake their claim.
This game is a crucial opportunity for these young players to stand out against a tough Senators lineup. Which player will you be watching most closely tonight?
