Samuel Blais gives up his spot to Jake Evans

With just a few minutes to go before the Montreal Canadiens face off against the Ottawa Senators, the Montreal club announced a number of changes to the line-up.

We knew that Jake Evans was likely to return to action tonight, but we didn't know who would take his place.

In the end, it was Sammy Blais who left his place at right-handed center in the lineup.

It should be pointed out that we all know that games against the Senators involve a lot of shuffling. So, leaving Blais out of a match like this could play into the hands of the Habs.

Here's the lineup for the match:

Habs warm-up combinations:

Caufield – Suzuki – Texier
Slafkovsky – Kapanen – Demidov
Anderson – Danault – Gallagher
Bolduc – Evans – Veleno

Matheson – Dobson
Hutson – Carrier
Guhle – Xhekaj

Montembeault
Dobes

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 17, 2026

Obviously, Evans is going to play center, so Joe Veleno has been moved to the wing of the fourth line, completed by Evans and Zachary Bolduc.

I don't hate the fourth-line combination, to be honest. However, I would have taken out Veleno rather than Blais, since it's always a toss-up against the Sens.

As for Brendan Gallagher, he's been promoted to the third line alongside long-time friends Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson.

It will be good for these three to be on the same line.

It could certainly help Danault boost his offensive production, even if that's not necessarily what we expect from him. We know he's very effective in the face-off circle and plays very well defensively, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to put a little more black on the score sheet.

More details to come…