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Here are the lines and defense pairings featured at practice:
Forward Josh Anderson was notably back at full practice, no longer sporting the no-contact jersey he wore earlier in the week.
Defenseman Kale Clague was likewise back on the ice with the full group, after completing his COVID-19 protocol on Jan. 13.
News from the infirmary
During his post-practice press conference, Dominique Ducharme indicated that he's confident Anderson will play in Arizona on Monday.
Although his status remains to be confirmed officially, the 27-year-old is already eager to be back.
"It's exciting. Whenever you're out for any period of time, it's difficult to not be out there with your teammates. All you want to do is try to help them, and you can't do that from the stands," described Anderson, who has been sidelined since Dec. 2, but practiced on the team's top line on Saturday. "Hopefully I'll be back next game and bring a lot of energy to the lineup."
Video: Josh Anderson on getting closer to a return
The Habs head coach also shared an update on Tyler Toffoli, who underwent hand surgery on Dec. 11.
"It's possible we might see him in an upcoming game, but probably not before Vegas or Colorado. It could be one of those two games, or the game after in Minnesota]," specified Ducharme. "He's getting there, he's recovering from his injury, he's getting back into game shape, so we're very close to having him back on the ice."
**Updates from the road… and back home**
The next two games are a back-to-back, with the Habs taking on the Coyotes on Monday before facing the Stars on Tuesday. As such, Ducharme confirmed that the team will split the work between the pipes with Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau each getting a start out west.
[Video: Dominique Ducharme on the team's latest medical news
Back home meanwhile, Paul Byron, Alex Belzile, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, and Jesse Ylönen are skating again after coming out of COVID-19 protocol, and Ducharme hinted that some players from the group could join the team on the road.
Good first impression
The newest member of the Canadiens, Rem Pitlick, made his Montreal debut in Chicago on Thursday, getting 18:59 of ice time, second-most among Habs forwards -- which was no coincidence.
"He skates well, he makes good plays with the puck, and he's a smart player. We wanted to give him an opportunity to show us what kind of player he is," explained Ducharme. "At first glance we liked what we saw, and we'll continue to work with him and see him again next game."
Video: Rem Pitlick on his experience with Montreal so far
Pitlick for his part is still taking it all in, after being claimed off waivers from Minnesota on Wednesday.
"It's been a whirlwind of emotions. Obviously, you never know what's going to happen, and all of sudden you're in Montreal. I really didn't think it could get much better than the State of Hockey. I do eat, sleep, breathe hockey -- all of the above -- and I'm going to where it all began. It's an unbelievable feeling to know it's the Montreal Canadiens" admitted Pitlick, who joins his younger brother, prospect Rhett Pitlick in the Canadiens organization. "I'm from Canada, I was born in Ottawa, but I'm a dual-citizen, so it's like going home in a way. […] I'm super grateful, I'm very excited."
