The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the St. Louis Blues on January 6, 2024, continuing their seven-game road trip while navigating a series of roster challenges due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, the Canadiens have demonstrated remarkable resilience, earning a total of 50 points in their first 40 games this season.
Montreal coach Martin St. Louis acknowledged the team’s depth in light of the ongoing injury crisis, stating, “You’re not going to go through this season with 23 guys. You’re probably 30 deep, and that’s for every team in the league.” His comments reflect the reality that teams must adapt continuously in a demanding season.
The Canadiens will be without key defenseman Mike Matheson, who missed their recent 7-5 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes due to an upper-body injury. Although Matheson participated in practice on Friday, his status for the game against St. Louis remains uncertain. Additionally, forward Josh Anderson exited the game against Carolina with an undisclosed injury, adding to the team’s concerns.
Long-term injuries have already sidelined defenseman Kaiden Guhle and forwards Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Jake Evans. In their absence, Adam Engstrom stepped in to replace Matheson during the Carolina matchup, while Arber Xhekaj made a notable impact with six hits and a blocked shot. Reflecting on his performance, Xhekaj stated, “When your best defender goes down, you have to step up. There’s no excuses.”
The Canadiens have reason to feel confident as they head into this matchup, especially after securing their first victory in Carolina since April 7, 2016. The team is focused on maintaining their momentum despite the challenges.
On the other side, the St. Louis Blues are also grappling with injuries. In their previous meeting on December 7, 2023, the Blues won 4-3, led by Brayden Schenn, who scored two goals and provided an assist, alongside Dylan Holloway, who contributed a goal and two assists. However, the Blues will be without Holloway, Pius Suter, and Nick Bjugstad for the rematch due to injuries.
The Blues recently snapped a two-game losing streak with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Winger Alexey Toropchenko noted the team’s determination to respond positively following a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, stating, “We felt we got embarrassed last game, and you have to respond with at least a good effort.”
The Blues received a crucial boost from their fourth line, with Toropchenko and Oskar Sundqvist both scoring goals by driving the net, contributing to a notable offensive display. Coach Jim Montgomery emphasized the need for grit and determination, encouraging the team to play with heart and intensity.
As the Canadiens and Blues prepare for their matchup, both teams will be looking to overcome their injury challenges and secure valuable points in the standings. The outcome of this game will be critical for both franchises as they navigate the demanding mid-season stretch.
