Canadiens Lineup

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Joel Armia

Rem Pitlick – Laurent Dauphin – Mike Hoffman

Artturi Lehkonen – Christian Dvorak –  Brendan Gallagher

Michael Pezzetta – Jake Evans – Paul Byron

Alexander Romanov – Brett Kulak 

Joel Edmundson – Jeff Petry

Corey Schueneman – Chris Wideman

Jake Allen – Sam Montembeault

Ryan Poehling (upper-body), Josh Anderson (lower-body), Kale Clague (upper-body), Andrew Hammond (lower-body), Tyler Pitlick (undisclosed), David Savard (ankle), Jonathan Drouin (wrist), Carey Price (knee), Shea Weber (multiple injuries)

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Game Report

The Dallas Stars are fighting for a playoff spot and were desperate to end their three-game losing streak. For the Canadiens, the stakes are far less urgent; their playoff fate  for this season was decided long ago. But there were several Habs players who were auditioning for new roles on other teams.

The final countdown to the NHL Trade Deadline is underway.

Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have negotiated solid returns for both Ben Chiarot and Tyler Toffoli but there are still opportunities to take advantage of hungry general managers as the Canadiens proceed with their transformation.

Christian Dvorak returned to the lineup. Does he fit the mold of the type of player preferred by the new regime? Joel Armia was showcased on the Canadiens top line. Yes, there has been interest in his services.

The Habs played a spirited game in a seesaw battle. But that wide open, offence-first style of play provided plenty of chances for the Dallas offence. High-danger scoring chances through 60 minutes were 14-5 for the Stars.

Jake Allen was sharp in his return after being sidelined for 25 games with a lower-body injury. Allen made 31 saves in a losing effort.

In his NHL 11th game, Corey Schueneman scored his first career goal. Schueneman has been a pleasant surprise for the Canadiens this season not looking out of place since his recall from Laval.

Despite entertaining the Bell Centre fans, the Canadiens suffered their fourth loss in the past five games.

Up Next

The Canadiens continue their six-game homestand by hosting the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

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