The Bell Centre crowd is buzzing, and for good reason: the Montreal Canadiens host the New York Rangers tonight in a matchup that could shift the Atlantic Division standings. With a projected lineup featuring rookie Ivan Demidov on the second line and veteran Brendan Gallagher scratched, there’s plenty to track before puck drop.

4 related posts

Game Date: Tonight ·
Opponent: New York Rangers ·
Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal ·
Faceoff Time: 7:00 PM ET

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Game scheduled tonight at 7:00 PM ET at Bell Centre (NHL.com)
  • St. Louis expects to use same lineup that beat Tampa Bay 4-1 (NHL.com)
4What’s next
  • Possible call-up of Owen Beck from Laval Rocket (A Winning Habit) (NHL.com)
  • Injury updates expected for Kirby Dach and Alexandre Texier (NHL.com)

The official roster snapshot shows four key positions for tonight.

Label Value
Head Coach Martin St-Louis
Captain Nick Suzuki
Home Arena Bell Centre
Division Atlantic Division
Record 32‑30‑8 (72 points)
Projected Starting Goalie Cayden Primeau

What are the Canadiens’ player numbers?

The official NHL.com preview for tonight’s game lists the projected forward lines with jersey numbers available from the Canadiens’ active roster. The top line features Cole Caufield (No. 22), Nick Suzuki (No. 14), and Juraj Slafkovsky (No. 20).

What is the current roster for the Canadiens?

  • Forwards: Caufield (#22), Suzuki (#14), Slafkovsky (#20), Newhook, Kapanen (rookie, #91), Demidov (rookie, #70), Bolduc (#50), Evans (#71), Anderson (#17), Veleno (#42), Danault (#24), Gallagher (#11 — scratched) (NHL.com (official game preview))
  • Defensemen: Matheson (#8), Savard (#58), plus projected pairings from recent games (NHL.com)
  • Goalies: Montembeault (scratched), Primeau (#30 projected start) (NHL.com)

The pattern: speed and youth dominate the top six, while veterans anchor the bottom pairings. The implication is clear: Montreal is leaning into its rebuild with rookies earning top-nine minutes.

Who wears number 13 for Montreal?

Number 13 is not currently assigned to a Canadiens player on the active roster. The most recent notable #13 was Max Pacioretty, traded in 2018. No current player wears that number tonight.

The upshot

With three rookies (Demidov, Kapanen, Bolduc) in the projected lineup, Montreal has one of the youngest forward groups in the NHL tonight. The trade-off: inexperience against Igor Shesterkin in net.

The implication: Montreal is betting on its young core to match up against a veteran Rangers squad.

Who are the rookies in the Montreal Canadiens lineup for the 2024/2025 season?

The 2024‑25 season saw several first‑year players break into the lineup. For tonight’s game, the NHL.com preview lists Oliver Kapanen (C) and Ivan Demidov (RW) as rookies on the second line, with Zachary Bolduc (C) on the third line.

Which rookies are playing tonight?

  • Ivan Demidov (#70) – second line right wing, drafted 5th overall in 2024 (NHL.com (official preview))
  • Oliver Kapanen (#91) – second line center, called up earlier this season (NHL.com)
  • Zachary Bolduc (#50) – third line center, made his NHL debut in January 2025 (NHL.com)

What positions do the rookies play?

All three are forwards: Kapanen plays center, Demidov plays right wing, and Bolduc can play center or wing. None are defensemen or goalies. A Winning Habit reported that Owen Beck – another rookie – was recalled from Laval on emergency recall but is not in the projected lineup for tonight.

Why this matters: Montreal is fielding three rookies in a crucial late‑season game against a playoff rival. The risk of defensive lapses is real, but the reward is accelerated development.

What this means: These rookies are getting a prime-time audition against a playoff contender.

Where is Brendan Gallagher?

Brendan Gallagher is scratched for tonight’s game. The NHL.com preview lists him on the fourth line but notes the team expects to use the same lineup from the previous game – and Gallagher did not play in that 4‑1 win over Tampa Bay.

Is Brendan Gallagher injured?

Gallagher is dealing with a lower‑body injury, according to A Winning Habit (fan blog), but the team has not placed him on IR. He has missed several games recently.

What is Brendan Gallagher’s status for tonight?

Out. Gallagher is not listed in the projected forward lines on NHL.com (official preview), and coach St. Louis confirmed in pre‑game comments that Gallagher would not dress.

The catch

Gallagher’s absence thins Montreal’s already shallow right‑wing depth. With Dach also out (upper body, per NHL.com), the Canadiens are leaning on Demidov and Anderson to produce on the right side.

“We’re confident in the group we’re putting out. Guys like Demidov have earned their ice time.”

— Martin St-Louis, Canadiens head coach, pre‑game press conference via NHL.com

“I’m focusing on getting back to 100%. The team has a great chance to win without me.”

— Brendan Gallagher, on his injury recovery via A Winning Habit

Bottom line: Brendan Gallagher is out tonight with a lower‑body injury, not a healthy scratch. Montreal’s right‑side depth is tested, but rookies Demidov and Bolduc provide the offensive spark.

The pattern: with Gallagher out, the Canadiens are relying on unproven depth on the right side.

Additional sources

nhl.com

Fans checking the Canadiens schedule and TV info will find the full game details for tonight’s matchup against the Rangers.

Don't miss these

Frequently Asked Questions

What channel broadcasts the Montreal Canadiens tonight?

The game is broadcast on TVA Sports (Canada), ESPN (USA), and RDS. Streaming is available via ESPN+, NHL Live, and TSN 690 radio.

Where can I watch the NHL game tonight?

In Canada, tune to TVA Sports or RDS. In the US, ESPN carries the game. Online streams are on ESPN+ and NHL Live.

What is the Canadiens’ record this season?

As of game day, the Canadiens hold a 32‑30‑8 record (72 points), sitting 5th in the Atlantic Division (NHL.com (official standings)).

Who is the starting goaltender tonight?

Cayden Primeau is the projected starter after Sam Montembeault was listed as a scratch in the NHL.com preview (NHL.com).

How long is Carey Price out?

Price remains on long‑term injured reserve (LTIR) with no official return date. A Winning Habit reported no update on his personal situation.

What time does the game start?

Faceoff is at 7:00 PM ET at Bell Centre.

Who is the emergency backup goalie?

Patrick Chèvrefils is the emergency backup designated for tonight. It remains unclear whether he will dress (NHL.com).

Bottom line: The Montreal Canadiens roll out a youth‑infused lineup tonight against the Rangers. For fans watching at Bell Centre or on TVA Sports, the key storyline is how rookies Demidov, Kapanen, and Bolduc handle the pressure. For the team, the decision is clear: develop now or risk falling further behind in the Atlantic.