Samuel Montembeault gets the start vs Panthers as Canadiens shake up their lines

It will be a big test for Monty, whose last start dates back to December 2. We knew the Habs wanted to give him another start soon, especially after some more difficult weeks.

Fresh off a stint in the AHL, he'll have a good opportunity to reset and show that he can hold the fort when needed.

I expect Jakub Dobes to be the backup tomorrow, with the idea that he could get the start Thursday night. That said, this is more of a feeling than a certainty.

As for the forward lines, early in practice this afternoon, Zack Bolduc was back on the first line. Alexandre Texier, meanwhile, was skating once again with Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson, as we've mostly seen lately.

Later in the session, however, things changed. We saw the combinations used in the third period last night come back. Texier ended up on the first line, while Bolduc slid in with Danault and Anderson.

There is therefore reason to believe that these lines could be sent into action against the Panthers. Texier didn't necessarily steal the show, but he did bring a little something that seemed to spark a reaction.

You can sense that the team is still searching for the right formula to get Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield going again, especially since Juraj Slafkovsky has settled in on the second line.

One can also wonder whether Kirby Dach would have been given this audition if not for the setback in his rehabilitation, but since he didn't even make the trip with the team, it's Texier who is benefiting from this opportunity on the first line.