RDS and the RDS.ca will present the game between the Canadiens and the Sabers starting at 7 p.m. tonight.
MONTREAL – Forward Mike Hoffman will not be in uniform Tuesday night when the Montreal Canadiens face the Buffalo Sabers at the Bell Centre.
Joel Armia should replace him in the formation of the Habs.
In addition, head coach Martin St-Louis will leave out the defenders Arber Xhekaj et Johnathan Kovacevic for the benefit of Jordan Harris et Chris Wideman. Xhekaj will thus miss a first game this season, while Harris will be back after being scratched from the roster on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. For Wideman, it will be his first game since Nov. 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Hoffman reportedly injured his lower body in the second period Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. He remained available on the bench to play on the power play from the third period, but ultimately never returned to the ice.
The Canadiens did not offer any further information regarding the possible length of Hoffman’s absence.
In 16 games this season, Hoffman has five goals and three assists.
For his part, Armia has not played since November 12 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was struggling with an upper body injury.
Armia has played seven games this season but still hasn’t blacked out the scoresheet.
Jake Allen will defend the net of the Canadian (9-8-1), who won his first duel against the Sabers 3-2, on October 27.
The Sabers (7-11-0) have lost their last eight games.
Formation du CH :
Caufield-Suzuki-Roof
Slafkovsky-Dvorak-Gallagher
Dadonov-Monahan-Anderson
Pezzetta-Evans-Armia
Matheson-Edmundson
Guhle-Savard
Xhekaj-Kovacevic
Harris-Wideman
Allen
Montembeault
More details to come