The Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues are set to face off on January 6, 2024, as both teams navigate significant injury challenges. The Canadiens, currently on a seven-game road trip, recently showcased their depth by securing a 7-5 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes, earning them a total of 50 points in their first 40 games.
Montreal coach Martin St. Louis emphasized the importance of roster depth, 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.” The team will likely experience further lineup changes as they head to St. Louis, with key defenseman Mike Matheson missing the previous game due to an upper-body injury, although he returned to practice on Friday. Forward Josh Anderson also left the Carolina game with an undisclosed injury, adding to the Canadiens’ growing list of absent players, which already includes defenseman Kaiden Guhle and forwards Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Jake Evans due to long-term injuries.
In Matheson’s absence, defenseman Adam Engstrom stepped into the lineup and contributed to the team’s success. Rookie Arber Xhekaj made a notable impact with six hits and a blocked shot, helping the Canadiens secure their first victory in Carolina since April 7, 2016. “I felt good,” Xhekaj remarked. “When your best defender goes down, you have to step up. There’s no excuses.”
The Blues enter this matchup looking to build on their recent performance, having snapped a two-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on January 5. In their previous meeting on December 7, the Blues claimed victory with a score of 4-3, led by captain Brayden Schenn, who scored two goals and provided an assist. The Blues will be without three forwards from that matchup—Dylan Holloway, Pius Suter, and Nick Bjugstad—due to injuries.
Blues winger Alexey Toropchenko highlighted the team’s determination to improve after a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche earlier in the week. “New year, new us,” he told the FanDuel Sports Network, reflecting on the team’s need for a strong response. The fourth line delivered a much-needed boost against Vegas, with Toropchenko and Oskar Sundqvist each scoring, contributing to a total of six points for the line.
Coach Jim Montgomery challenged his players to display greater grit, particularly following their recent lopsided defeat. Schenn echoed this sentiment, stating, “The main thing tonight we talked about was just having a response.” His game-winning goal against Vegas, scored with just 1:33 remaining, underscored this commitment to improvement.
As the Canadiens prepare to face the Blues, both teams will rely heavily on their remaining players to step up in the absence of key contributors. With the season progressing and playoffs on the horizon, each point becomes increasingly critical. The matchup promises to be a compelling contest, showcasing the resilience of both teams despite the challenges they face.
