Canadiens eye division lead in high-stakes clash with shorthanded Panthers
The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET in a key Atlantic Division clash. Montreal enters the game on strong form, having won seven of their last ten matches, while Florida will be without top scorer Brad Marchand due to injury.
The Canadiens are riding high after a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames, where Alexandre Texier contributed three points. Their recent record stands at 7-1-2 in the last ten games, leaving them just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the division lead.
Nick Suzuki continues to lead the team in scoring with 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists) and has been productive, registering points in 19 of his last 24 games. Cole Caufield, the team’s top goal-scorer with 21, has added four in his last seven appearances. Defenceman Lane Hutson also remains a key contributor, sitting second in team scoring with 43 points (8 goals, 35 assists). For the Panthers, Brad Marchand—who leads the team with 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists)—will miss the game due to a day-to-day injury. His absence pushes A.J. Greer up to the second line, Jesper Boqvist to the third, and Jack Studnicka back into the lineup on the fourth. Sergei Bobrovsky will start in net for Florida, while Samuel Montembeault is expected to get the nod for Montreal.
The Canadiens will look to extend their strong run against a Panthers side adjusting to Marchand’s absence. A win could push Montreal level with Tampa Bay at the top of the Atlantic Division. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.
