20240221 - Morning Skate

MONTREAL – The Canadiens held an optional morning skate at the Bell Centre ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. 

Prior to the session, Kirby Dach skated on his own in full gear under the supervision of director of hockey development Adam Nicholas. 

Cayden Primeau also put in some extra work with goalie coach Eric Raymond before the main skate. 

Sixteen players hit the ice:

Forwards
Defensemen
Goalies
40 Joel Armia
21 Kaiden Guhle
34 Jake Allen
22 Cole Caufield
54 Jordan Harris
35 Samuel Montembeault
74 Brandon Gignac
26 Johnathan Kovacevic
30 Cayden Primeau
55 Michael Pezzetta
8 Mike Matheson
89 Joshua Roy
47 Jayden Struble
 
20 Juraj Slafkovsky
72 Arber Xhekaj
56 Jesse Ylönen

During his pregame press conference, head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed that Jordan Harris and Jesse Ylönen will return to the lineup, while Johnathan Kovacevic and Michael Pezzetta will skip their turn. Samuel Montembeault will start in net.  

Harris will see action for the first time since Feb. 11. He had sustained an upper-body injury against the St. Louis Blues and was listed as day-to-day. 

Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. For tickets, click here.