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Martin St-Louis makes last-minute defensive change ahead of Canadiens-Panthers game
The Montreal Canadiens face the Florida Panthers tonight, and the team has just announced a last-minute change.
For the past few weeks, Martin St-Louis has been using several players in order to set his lineup. With the injured players, the coach has no choice but to go through a certain rotation.
On the defensive side, Martin St-Louis has to make difficult decisions, as he has several players at his disposal.
However, he has just removed Jayden Struble from the lineup.
Adam Engstrom will replace Jayden Struble
The Canadiens confirmed the news just before the game. Adam Engstrom will be in uniform, in place of Jayden Struble.
Adam Engstrom enters in place of Jayden Struble tonight
Engstrom, 21, was drafted 92nd overall in 2022. In Laval in 2024-2025, he recorded 27 points in 66 games.
The young defenseman is playing excellent hockey with the Canadiens, and he is making Martin St-Louis's decisions more complicated.
Changing a defenseman in the final minutes comes as a surprising decision. For Engstrom, it is a clear opportunity to remain in the picture immediately.
For Struble, it is bad news for him, but the depth is real in Montreal.
In the end, it is a perfect moment to measure the reaction of both players. Engstrom has a chance to earn points without saying a word, just by being ready. Struble will now have an opportunity to respond in his own way, even if he is not on the ice.
In Montreal, things can change quickly.