The Canadiens face a big challenge tonight as they face the Metropolitan Division leaders New York Rangers.

You can watch this game on TVA Sports starting at 7 p.m. This will be the first confrontation of the season between the two “original” clubs.

CH will look to bounce back after a poor performance on their return to Montreal on Thursday, losing 6-1 to the Buffalo Sabres. Previously, Martin St-Louis' side posted a 3-3-1 record during their seven-game trip to close out 2023 and start the new year.

Overall, the Canadiens are 16-17-5 since the start of the season, which puts them in sixth place in the Atlantic Division, five points behind the Detroit Red Wings (19-16-4), who have played one game more.

For their part, the Rangers (26-10-1) are five points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes (22-13-4) in the Metropolitan. In the entire NHL, only the Winnipeg Jets (25-9-4) have more points than them, barely one more. However, they played an additional game.

Kovacevic left out

Recalled from the Laval Rocket yesterday, forward Emil Heineman will play his third game on the Bettman circuit tonight. He was ruled out of his first two appearances at the start of this season.

The Habs announced Friday that Dvorak would miss the remainder of the schedule. Since the Dec. 31 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team has been using 11 forwards.

Samuel Montembeault will resume his spot in net after giving it up to Jake Allen against the Sabres.

In defense, Johnathan Kovacevic will be left out against the Rangers.

Here is Martin St-Louis' pre-match press conference: