Alexandre Carrier is set to play for the Montreal Canadiens in Wednesday`s Game 5 showdown against the Washington Capitals, despite being listed as a game-time decision earlier in the day.
Carrier had been categorized as day-to-day by the Canadiens on Tuesday after leaving Sunday`s Game 4 following a hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson.
His return is good news for Montreal, but Carrier joins a growing injury list. Goaltender Sam Montembeault and winger Patrik Laine are also sidelined, both listed as day-to-day.
Head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed that Laine was not an option for the Game 5 lineup and Montembeault did not travel with the team to Washington. Forwards Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson, along with defenceman David Savard, were also absent from Tuesday`s practice, reportedly for `maintenance.`
With Montembeault out, rookie netminder Jakub Dobes will get his second consecutive start.
On the Capitals` side, forward Aliaksei Protas is expected to return to the lineup after being uncertain earlier in the day. The imposing six-foot-six, 247-pound forward is back from a foot injury sustained on April 4. He registered 30 goals and 36 assists in 76 games during the regular season.
The Canadiens are currently trailing the Capitals 3-1 in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series.
Montreal fans might find hope in history. The team famously overcame a 3-1 deficit in the first round of the 2021 playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs – the last time they reached the postseason.
Six players from the current Canadiens roster were on that 2021 team, including captain Nick Suzuki.
Captain Nick Suzuki shared his perspective on the team`s mentality heading into Game 5: “Stay relaxed, be excited. It`s not over until it`s over. We`re a hungry team. We want to come out and show that we can win this game and go back home.”
Tristan Blackwood