Alexandre Texier injured: Kirby Dach on the first line tonight

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Alexandre Texier injured: Kirby Dach on the first line tonight
Credit: NHL.com

There was a morning skate at the Bell Centre this morning.

With just a few hours to go before the game against the Minnesota Wild, there were a few things to keep an eye on in order to get a feel for tonight's line-up.

So, what's on the agenda?

1. First, Jakub Dobes took the ice first with Éric Raymond, the Habs' goaltending coach. Normally, on game day, that says a lot about who the starter is.

And it will be him tonight. It's been confirmed.

2. Of course, an important issue is that of Kirby Dach. We wondered if the center was going to be able to play tonight, after many missed games.

The answer: he'll be playing with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki tonight.

3. Several players were not at practice this morning. Alexandre Carrier, Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher, Phillip Danault, and Alexandre Texier were conspicuous by their absence.

Texier, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and won't play tonight, is one to watch. The other guys will be in uniform.

4. Patrik Laine won't be back tonight, but the Finn was on the ice with the others this morning. He's clearly feeling better, which is a good sign for him.

He's getting closer to a comeback.

5. Jakub Dobes in front of the net… Kirby Dach in place of Alexandre Texier… these were the big issues we had to watch out for in preparation for tonight's game.

But defensively?

We note that Arber Xhekaj will leave his place to Jayden Struble, who was due to play. So we can stop thinking about a conditioning stint in Laval for Struble.

Clearly, we wanted Struble in more than Xhekaj out tonight.


overtime

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– Of note.

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