Game 43 Preview: Montreal Canadiens @ Utah Hockey Club

Start time: 9:00 PM EST / 6:00 PM PST

Where to watch: - Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) - Utah region: Utah16 - Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+

As the Montreal Canadiens gear up to face off against the Utah Hockey Club, they are coming into this matchup under challenging circumstances. Recently plagued by a virus running through their roster, the Canadiens received another blow with the news that rookie star Emil Heineman was involved in a car accident in Utah, sidelining him for the next three to four weeks due to an upper-body injury.

Heineman's absence is sure to be felt deeply. Known for his relentless work ethic and offensive abilities, he had been a rising star within the Canadiens' ranks and was becoming a key contributor, particularly in the bottom six. His presence on the ice often translates into crucial goals, and now, it’s up to his teammates to rally and fill the void against a struggling Utah team that is still adjusting to the rigors of their inaugural season.

On a brighter note, Cole Caufield, who recently had a five-game goal-scoring streak come to an upsetting end after hitting the post in overtime, will look to bounce back tonight. As a significant offensive force, he has been vital in pushing the Canadiens through their recent three-win streaks, and the team hopes to capitalize on this opportunity for a much-needed boost after inconsistent performances.

Projected Montreal Canadiens Lineup:

Left Wing: Cole Caufield - Centre: Nick Suzuki - Right Wing: Juraj Slafkovský - Left Wing: Alex Newhook - Centre: Kirby Dach - Right Wing: Patrik Laine - Left Wing: Michael Pezzetta - Centre: Jake Evans - Right Wing: Joel Armia - Left Wing: Josh Anderson - Centre: Christian Dvorak - Right Wing: Brendan Gallagher

Defensive Pairings:

Left Defence: Lane Hutson - Right Defence: Mike Matheson - Left Defence: Kaiden Guhle - Right Defence: Alexandre Carrier - Left Defence: Arber Xhekaj - Right Defence: David Savard

Goaltenders:

Starter: Samuel Montembeault - Backup: Jakub Dobeš

Scratched:

Jayden Struble - Injured: Emil Heineman

Projected Utah HC Lineup:

Left Wing: Clayton Keller - Centre: Logan Cooley - Right Wing: Nick Schmaltz - Left Wing: Mattias Maccelli - Centre: Barrett Hayton - Right Wing: Josh Doan - Left Wing: Jack McBain - Centre: Nick Bjugstad - Right Wing: Lawson Crouse - Left Wing: Alex Kerfoot - Centre: Kevin Stenlund - Right Wing: Michael Carcone

Defensive Pairings:

Left Defence: Mikhail Sergachev - Right Defence: Olli Maatta - Left Defence: Ian Cole - Right Defence: Michael Kesselring - Left Defence: Juuso Valimaki - Right Defence: John Marino

With the stakes high and emotions running wild, the Canadiens will need to dig deep tonight. Will they find the strength to harness their collective determination and secure a victory on the road? Tune in to see how this thrilling encounter unfolds!