Canadiens lineup tonight: Montreal's projected lineup for game against Pittsburgh Penguins | Nov 2, 2024

The Montreal Canadiens will look to get back in the win column when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Ahead of the game, which will be the final leg of a two-game road stretch for the Habs before returning home, the Canadiens will be without several players.

David Reinbacher is still on the injured reserve list ahead of tonight's game along with Patrik Laine, who is expected to return in late 2024 or early 2025. In addition, winger Rafael Harvey-Pinard, who went down with a non-contact leg injury in practice, is sidelined for tonight's game but will travel with the team.

With that in mind, the Canadiens' lines for tonight are projected to be as follows:

Forwards:

1. LW Cole Caufield - C Nick Suzuki - RW Emil Heineman
2. LW Alex Newhook - C Kirby Dach - RW Juraj Slafkovsky
3. LW Josh Anderson - C Jake Evans - RW Brendan Gallagher
4. LW Joel Armia - C Christian Dvorak - RW Oliver Kapanen

Defense:

1. Mike Matheson - Kaiden Guhle
2. Lane Hutson - David Savard
3. Jayden Struble - Justin Barron

Goalies:

• Samuel Montembeault
• Cayden Primeau

Powerplay:

1. Kirby Dach, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Mike Matheson
2. Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Joel Armia, Oliver Kapanen, Lane Hutson

Penalty Kill:

1. Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Jayden Struble, David Savard
2. Christian Dvorak, Josh Anderson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle

Looking at the Montreal Canadiens' recent losses and upcoming schedule

While the Montreal Canadiens were able to go 2–1 in their first three games of the season, the losses have come in bunches for the franchise since then. After a strong start to the season despite injuries to David Reinbacher and Patrik Laine, the team lost four straight.

From Oct. 14 to Oct. 22, the team lost a 6–3 home game against the Penguins followed by a 4–1 loss to the Kings. They then lost a shootout to the Islanders before falling to the New York Rangers, bringing their season record to 2-4-1.

Then, it seemed they were beginning to find their rhythm, winning back-to-back games for the first time this season, beating the Blues 5–2 and the Flyers 4–3. As it turned out, that wasn't the end of their woes, as they have since lost two straight.

On Oct. 29, they lost an 8–2 meeting with the Kraken with Samuel Montembeault in the net before losing 6–3 to the Capitals in their most recent game.

Following tonight's clash with the Penguins, the team will return home for a one-game stint to play the Flames before hitting the road for a four-game stretch.