As the NHL season heats up, tonight marks an exciting clash between the Montreal Canadiens and the newly relocated Utah Hockey Club. Set to begin at 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST, fans are eagerly anticipating this highly anticipated matchup, especially after Utah's franchise move from Tempe, Arizona, to Salt Lake City.

After nearly three decades in Arizona, the team – formerly known as the Coyotes – promised a fresh start and strong performance. Initially, the new franchise made an impressive entrance with a record of 4-1-1 in their first few games. However, reality has hit hard, and Utah now finds itself in a tough position, ranking sixth in the Central Division with only 19 points.

Utah’s offensive struggles have been glaring, with the exception of a singular 6-1 victory against the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins. Nevertheless, the Canadiens are not taking these newcomers lightly. Coach Martin St-Louis conducted a total overhaul of the lineup following what he described as the worst period of the season. Notably, Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovský have been moved to the fourth line, while Joel Armia will join them on the right side. If this lineup can gel, the Canadiens may have a formidable bottom trio.

A significant storyline for tonight's game is the debut of forward Joshua Roy. After a strong showing in Laval, where he registered a three-point game, Roy has a golden opportunity to prove himself after being cut from the Canadiens’ training camp. His hunger and determination could play a key role in extending the troubles for the fledgling Utah franchise.

Projected Lineup for the Montreal Canadiens:

Forward Lines:

- Cole Caufield (LW) - Nick Suzuki (C) - Alex Newhook (RW) - Emil Heineman (LW) - Jake Evans (C) - Joshua Roy (RW) - Josh Anderson (LW) - Christian Dvorak (C) - Brendan Gallagher (RW) - Juraj Slafkovský (LW) - Kirby Dach (C) - Joel Armia (RW)