Saturday’s setbacks set the stage for a pivotal matchup as the Ducks and Canadiens prepare to face off, with the matchup billed as ducks vs canadiens and both clubs making notable lineup and goaltending choices heading into the game.
Projected Lineups And Notable Returns
Anaheim’s forward group includes a top line of Chris Kreider, Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, with Mason McTavish centering Mikael Granlund and Beckett Sennecke on the second line. Further depth is provided by Jeffrey Viel, Ryan Poehling and Alex Killorn, followed by Frank Vatrano, Tim Washe and Jansen Harkins. Notable for the Ducks is the arrival of a veteran defenseman who will make his debut with Anaheim; he has not played since Feb. 5 before being traded by his previous club.
Montreal’s projected front end lists Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky together, with Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov on the second line. The club’s bottom-six options include Zachary Bolduc, Jake Evans and Kirby Dach, while Josh Anderson, Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher are assembled on another forward group. Gallagher is expected to return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the previous night, his first such absence since his NHL debut on Jan. 22, 2013. A handful of players are scratched for Montreal for this tilt.
Ducks Vs Canadiens: Goaltenders, Starts And Skates
The Ducks held an optional morning skate after a 2-0 loss on Saturday, and the organization indicated that Dostal will likely get the start after Husso made 27 saves in the prior outing. Montreal did not hold a morning skate following a 4-2 loss the same night; Fowler will start after Dobes made 17 saves in the previous game. The game’s scheduled puck drop is 7: 00 pm ET.
Stakes, Recent Form And Broadcast Details
Montreal’s recent home loss has left the club searching for a steadier offensive connection and a cleaner defensive structure, while Anaheim arrives having dropped consecutive games on the road. The Ducks have allowed a high volume of goals away from home this season and have seen mixed results over the course of their trip. Anaheim reinforced its blue line at the trade deadline with the addition of a veteran defender whose strengths tilt toward offence, a move intended to shore up performance as the club navigates a difficult stretch.
For viewers in the Canadiens region, the game will be available on local English and French outlets and on national streaming platforms; viewers in the Ducks region can find the matchup on local broadcast outlets and subscription services outlined by regional listings. Exact channel and streaming assignments follow the regional broadcast plan.
Coaches on both sides will have to weigh fatigue after back-to-back games and determine where to slot returning players. For Montreal, the question is who makes way for Gallagher’s return; for Anaheim, the focus is how the newly arrived defenseman fits into the back end and whether Dostal’s start sparks a change in recent form. Uncertainties remain about exact in-game matchups and late scratches, and teams may still finalize final decisions closer to puck drop.
The matchup brings together opposing needs: Anaheim seeks defensive stability and a return to winning on the road, while Montreal looks to convert its structure into sustained offense. The confirmed starters and the return of key veterans set clear storylines to watch during the 7: 00 pm ET puck drop.
