The Montreal Canadiens will attempt to win their third game in a row as they take on the Florida Panthers Saturday night. The Canadiens helped the Panthers out when they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 on Thursday night, giving the Panthers sole possession of 1st place in the Atlantic Division. Tonight though the Lightning will be hoping that the Canadiens are able to play spoiler once again but this time against their in state rival. The Panthers are two points ahead of the Lightning in the standings but should Tampa Bay win tonight and the Panthers lose, then the Lightning would take over the lead in the division as they have more wins.
It was confirmed yesterday that re-inforcements have finally arrived for the Canadiens as Brendan Gallagher and Daniel Carr have been released from the infirmary and will make their return to the lineup tonight. Gallagher had barely played a period with Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty on March 5th against the Winnipeg Jets before he injured himself when he awkwardly did the splits. Galchenyuk and Pacioretty have been building on their chemistry in their games since and Gallagher will be try to be the missing piece of the line’s puzzle to take them to the next level. As well as Galchenyuk and Pacioretty have played, there is no question that Gallagher is the team’s #1 right winger and will make the Canadiens top line that much tougher to play against.
The domino effect of Gallagher’s return is that other players can finally return to their proper place in the lineup and not be asked to play above their means. Paul Byron will skate alongside David Desharnais and Sven Andrighetto on the third line in the latest incarnation of the Smurf line. Andrighetto has a three game point streak (1G, 3A) since his return from injury playing alongside Desharnais and has been seeing time on the powerplay as well. Byron takes Phillip Danault’s spot on the third and so Danault will now line up on the left of Michael McCarron and Daniel Carr on the fourth line. Danault will be able to help out McCarron by taking draws on his strong side. The young trio should compliment each other and be fun to watch. Carr has not played since January 25th when he injured his knee against the Columbus Blue Jackets and is being eased back into the lineup. It is a good opportunity for Carr to showcase himself and keep him in the back of the minds of Canadiens management in anticipation of the 2016-2017 season.
Mike Condon will get the start tonight while Carey Price continues to work his way back into game shape. Charlie Lindgren will back up Condon in Florida. Brett Lernout will indeed make his NHL debut.
Today, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day and good on the NHL and many of its clubs in their efforts to spread awareness and raise funds.
Join us tonight as we #LIUB with @soflaford! #Ford4Autism https://t.co/iKLGynEnqj pic.twitter.com/2RkfILbkjV
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 2, 2016
Puck drops at 7pm.
Cheers & enjoy the game! Follow @Jenbcutler