(New York) Forward Jonathan Drouin will return to play on Tuesday night when the Montreal Canadiens visit the New York Rangers.
Cayden Primeau will be the starting goalie, head coach Dominique Ducharme also said.
Forward Mike Hoffman will miss a second game in a row with an upper-body injury and his name will be on the injured list as he misses at least a week of action. Goalkeeper Jake Allen remains on the sidelines after suffering heavy contact with Dylan Larkin on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. Ducharme has confirmed he suffered a concussion, but said he could return to the game on Saturday against the Nashville Predators.
Drouin has missed the Canadiens’ last six games, having been hit in the face by a shot from teammate Brett Kulak on November 2 against the Red Wings.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, PRESS ARCHIVES
Jonathan drouin
The Quebec forward said he didn’t have a concussion, but added that the swelling on the side of his face caused him headaches when he put on his helmet.
In 11 games this season, Drouin has two goals and five assists.
Adam Brooks will cede his place in the Canadiens’ lineup to Drouin, who was placed to the left of Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson in the team’s morning practice.
For his part, Primeau will be making his first start in the NHL this season. In nine outings with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League, he is 4-4-0 with an average of 2.41 and a save rate of .916.
In six career NHL outings, Primeau, 22, is 2-3-1 with a 3.55 GAA and .885 save rate.
The Canadian (4-11-2) has lost five of his last six games (1-3-2). The Rangers (9-3-3) have won their last three meetings.
The Rangers defeated the Habs 3-1 on October 16 in Montreal in the first duel between the two teams this season.