The Montreal Canadiens (4-9-2) are set to play the Buffalo Sabres (7-7-1) on Remembrance Day, with the puck drop scheduled for 12:30 pm ET.
Martin St-Louis’ team will aim to avoid going winless in seven games, and to do so, he will ice brand-new combinations in the top six. Sniper Cole Caufield has been placed on the second line, alongside Alex Newhook and Jake Evans, while 20-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky returns to the top line, to play with Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach.
On paper, using Evans in the top six is clearly an issue, but in reality, he’s one of the few players who has provided an honest effort during every shift this season. What he lacks in talent, he more than makes up for with his consistency and dedication. Rather, it’s players such as Dach, the former second-line centre, who have struggled in the early parts of the 2024-25 season. Of course, missing the majority of the 2023-24 season isn’t helping Dach’s cause, but since the Habs are almost done with 20 percent of the current season, changes were to be expected.
As for the bottom six, there are no changes expected, which means the third line will once again rely on Brendan Gallagher to drive the play, while the fourth line will be anchored by Laval Rocket captain Lucas Condotta.
Given Samuel Montembeault’s recent struggles, goaltender Cayden Primeau will get the nod on Monday afternoon.
On Topic: Montreal Canadiens Split Up Caufield and Suzuki, New Lines
As for the Sabres, they’re slowly yet surely gaining traction, and have won three of their last four games. The towering Tage Thompson leads the offensive charge, with 10 goals and seven assists in 15 games, while players such as JJ Peterka, Alex Tuch, and Jason Zucker provide secondary scoring.
On the backend, the Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin, both first overall picks, cover the most ice, as evidenced by the fact that they have 10 and 11 points this season, respectively.
Even though the Sabres have the advantage in most 5v5 categories, as does most NHL teams, the Canadiens do have the better special teams, giving them a potential lifeline to earn their first win in November.
Projected Montreal Canadiens Lineup
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Buffalo Sabres Projected Lineup
Peterka – Thompson – Tuch
Benson – Cozens – Quinn
Greenway – McLeod – Zucker
Malenstyn – Krebs – Lafferty
Dahlin – Byram
Power – Bryson
Gilbert – Clifton
Luukkonen
How to Watch The Montreal Canadiens vs. the Buffalo Sabres, Monday, November 11, 2024.
Game 16 of the regular season will be aired on TVA Sports, and Sportsnet. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.
