Jake Allen will be tonight’s starting goalie

Tonight, the Canadiens take on the Bruins in Boston. Don’t expect to see Milan Lucic in their lineup, as he was arrested for a “domestic altercation” last night.

He had a lower-body injury anyway, but let’s just say that it’s not hockey that’s worrying him at the moment.

As for the Canadiens’ lineup, Martin St-Louis has just addressed the media and, as expected, Jake Allen will get the start tonight.

After Samuel Montembeault on Tuesday and Cayden Primeau on Thursday, logic dictated that it would be Allen’s turn to be in net tonight.

Head coach Martin St-Louis confirms that Jake Allen will be in net against the Bruins tonight.

Martin St-Louis confirms Jake Allen will get the start tonight against the Bruins.

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 18, 2023

As for the rest of the lineup, all 12 forwards who played on Thursday will be back in uniform, which means that Rafaël Harvey-Pinard won’t be in tonight.

Martin St-Louis hasn’t commented on the composition of his trios, but yesterday they were unchanged at training. So there’s reason to believe they’ll remain the same.

As for the defensive brigade, Arber Xhekaj will not be in uniform. His shoulder injury will prevent him from playing tonight, so Jordan Harris will take his place in the line-up.

Remember that #54 was given the green light to return to action yesterday, and today is the day.

#Habs line-up change vs. Boston:
Jordan Harris IN / Arber Xhekaj (upper-body) OUT

– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) November 18, 2023

For Xhekaj, it’s obviously a shame to see that he’ll have to skip his turn, but we can believe that he’s avoided the worst. The defender’s mother wanted to reassure everyone on X/Twitter yesterday (in a since-deleted post, though), and we also got to see a reassuring hint.

When he got off the plane yesterday, he didn’t have a splint on his arm. That’s already a good sign.

Good news: Arber Xhekaj was not wearing a splint on his arm when he got off the plane late this afternoon in Boston. #Shoulder pic.twitter.com/DmdgYCIxkh

– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) November 18, 2023

So we’ll see if Xhekaj has to be away for an extended period of time, but tonight, at least, he won’t be.

Jake Allen and Jordan Harris will, at least.

In a row

– Not impossible.

Arber Xhekaj, a target across the NHL? Ivan Barbashev’s body check may be just the ticket:

“He’s the name on the board when you play the Habs! Xhekaj, next time he’ll be ready!” -@Lappy14

Les Amateurs de sports with @LangloisMario pic.twitter.com/bpyTh3X0Vs

– 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) November 18, 2023

– Likes.

Another great quote from Martin St-Louis this morning in Boston “We have to be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Faut se régler ” #rds #ch

– Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) November 18, 2023

– Notice to interested parties.

The jerseys worn yesterday during the Hockey to End Cancer game are available for auction until Monday night!
Don’t miss your chance
https://t.co/cinTzaAWv6

The jerseys worn yesterday during the Hockey Fights Cancer game are available for auction until… pic.twitter.com/vxiUiJaaza

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) November 18, 2023

– Well done.

Here’s a reminder, Canada, that *your* voice matters.

After the outcry and public humiliation the CFL went through for having only English stadium signage at Grey Cup, I’m told a last-minute paint job is coming for two ‘LCF’ logos on each 25-yard-line for Sunday’s game. https://t.co/Yx9dZXfXij

– Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 18, 2023

– Will it weigh heavily in the balance?

Even if he’s gorgeous. https://t.co/HOfUWiCcRJ

– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 18, 2023