Claude Julien's team will play its 22nd game of the season at the Prudential Centre tonight as they take on the Devils who currently sit in the 15th position of the eastern conference. Needless to say, the Newark outfit is not having its best season with a 8-9-2 record and 18 points in the bank.
The Habs had some news to announce yesterday concerning Noah Juulsen:
Defenseman Noah Juulsen is sidelined indefinitely with a facial fracture.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 20, 2018
MEDICAL UPDATE âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/qjHYNATVVI#GoHabsGo
After taking 2 pucks to the face in the last game, the young blueliner will be out of action for an indefinite time because of a facial fracture. It's a shame really has the youngster has 5 points in 17 games and a +6 record. While he does make the occasional mistake, he's still more reliable then say Karl Alzner and the fans appear to enjoy seeing the young player develop.
With Juulsen out of action, the Habs had to call someone up and Michael Chaput was the chosen one:
Les Canadiens ont rappelé l’attaquant Michael Chaput du Rocket de Laval. Il rejoindra l’équipe ce soir au New Jersey.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 20, 2018
Dà‰TAILS âž¡ https://t.co/j8HTyGfp8K#GoHabsGo
The 26 years old Chaput has 10 points in 18 games with the Rocket this season and already has 135 games of experience in the NHL with Columbus and the Canucks. It should be noted that Paul Byron was skating in Brossard yesterday and suddenly stopped and left the ice looking rather frustrated, there is still no news as to when the Habs can expect the roadrunner v. 2.0 back in the line-up.
Chances are Carey Price will be back in goal tonight, he played a very good game against the Washington Capitals in a losing cause and made some spectacular saves. With two games in 24 hours being played on Friday and Saturday, we should expect to see Niemi in the crease Friday against the Sabres.
Cet arrêt... 😱
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 20, 2018
This save tho... 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mqxcSY5E0u
As Juulsen left the game on Monday, Jeff Petry played an insane 33:51 minutes and got some much deserved praised in the media for doing so (at long last). Many do not realize how useful the number 26 has been to the CH since we last saw Shea Weber on the ice almost a year ago.
Max Domi kept his point streak going for the 10th game against the Caps and that has not been done by a Canadiens player since Vincent Damphousse did it in 1996. Domi really is a gift that keeps on giving for the Habs this year and reminded everyone who is dad was when he got the better of Orlov in a second period fight.
No news as to who will be stepping into Juulsen's spot in the line-up, Ouellet and Alzner both were healthy scratch Monday and one man's misfortune is another's big break. I personally would rather see Ouellet back on the ice than Alzner but at this stage, that's not saying much I guess.
Edit: the line-up looks like Oeca is the odd man out and Chsput is in. Alzner still sits and Ouellet is back in.
Drouin - Domi - Shaw Tatar - Danault - Gallagher Lehkonen - Kotkaniemi - Agostino Deslauriers - Chaput - Hudon Peca
Benn - Petry Schlemko - Reilly Ouellet - Mete Alzner - Weber
Price Niemi
Canadiens power plays PP1 Drouin Petry-Gallagher-Domi Kotkaniemi
PP2 Schlemko Hudon-Shaw-Tatar Danault
Julien has said that Shea Weber will not be back this week and clearly, since the Habs are doing better than expected, they are intent on not rushing the stud d-man back.
The puck drops at 19:00 tonight and the Devils will be hoping to avoid a 3rd loss in a row.