The major changes mentioned in the previous article have been confirmed for tonight's match

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Will Austin
October 5, 2024 (3:19 PM)

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Martin St-Louis and the Montreal Canadiens have confirmed several major lineup changes for tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators.

In an effort to protect his star players and avoid unnecessary injuries before the season starts, St-Louis has opted to rest key members of the team.

According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, and Juraj Slafkovsky from the first line will all be sidelined. Several other regular players are also expected to be removed from the lineup, and a number of call-ups from Laval will fill the gaps.

«Kirby Dach, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky won't play tonight. More regulars are expected to be scratched, and several players will be called up from the AHL this afternoon.»

- Renaud Lavoie, TVA Sports

This decision, while not ideal for St-Louis, makes the most sense given the recent preseason incidents. By focusing on protecting his top players, the head coach is minimizing risks and avoiding a situation similar to Patrik Laine's preseason injury.

Several young prospects from the Rocket, such as Luke Tuch, Lucas Condotta, Sean Farrell, and possibly Florian Xhekaj, may be called up for this game.

In addition, Arber Xhekaj, Florian's older brother, will suit up tonight against the Senators. St-Louis emphasized that he wants to see Xhekaj play his physical style while avoiding unnecessary penalties or outbursts.

This decision provides a valuable opportunity for younger players to stand out and prove they deserve a spot on the regular-season roster ahead of the 2024-2025 campaign.