Updates from optional morning skate – Oct. 22

MONTREAL – With the Rangers in town, the Canadiens laced up their skates for a morning session on the ice at the Bell Centre on Tuesday.

Prior to the main skate, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Juraj Slafkovsky put in some time with Director of hockey development Adam Nicholas. They did not participate in the optional skate. The Club then announced that Slafkovsky will be sidelined for a week with an upper-body injury. He will be reevaluated afterwards.

In total, 16 players hit the ice.

During his pregame press conference, head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed that Michael Pezzetta will make his season debut on Tuesday.

Samuel Montembeault will be between the pipes for his fifth start of the campaign. In six career games against the Rangers, the goaltender holds a 4-1-1 record.

On top of it being an Original Six matchup, contests against the Rangers have held an even greater meaning since Canadiens Vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton and St-Louis once belonged to that organization during their respective careers. Montreal last beat their opponents from the Big Apple on January 6, 2024 at the Bell Centre in a 4-3 shootout win. Montembeault made a whopping 45 saves.

Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET. For tickets, click here.