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Here are the lines and defense pairings featured by head coach Dominique Ducharme:
News and notes
During his pregame press conference, Ducharme confirmed that forward Christian Dvorak still isn't ready to return to the lineup.
Dvorak suffered an upper-body injury against Minnesota on January 24, which has forced him to miss the last three games.
While the 26-year-old American has been medically cleared to play, Ducharme explained that he "isn't feeling completely comfortable" and "needs more time" to skate and practice.
Video: Dominique Ducharme's pregame press conference
The Habs' bench boss also confirmed that goaltender Cayden Primeau will make his eighth start of the season.
According to Ducharme, goaltender Sam Montembeault is still recovering from a minor upper-body injury.
"We want to give Sam time. He isn't 100 percent," explained Ducharme, when asked about Primeau getting the nod. "We want Sam to have a good build-up and good preparation to avoid aggravating the injury when he gets back in the net and plays."
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Gallagher on Tatar: 'He's a good friend of mine'
Tonight's contest marks Tomas Tatar's first game back at the Bell Centre since signing with New Jersey last August.
Tatar spent three seasons in Montreal, so he made plenty of friends, including Brendan Gallagher.
Along with Phillip Danault, who now plays with Los Angeles, the trio enjoyed tremendous success together and forged an incredible bond along the way.
The veteran winger was asked about facing his former linemate.
"I've talked to Tuna pretty much all year. He's a good friend of mine. I keep in contact, but nothing really about this game. I think we've got to be professionals. Playing against your friends a lot, you want to play hard regardless, but you really want to beat them," said Gallagher. "I know he'll be a good player for them tonight. He's going to do everything he always does. But for us, it's just important to worry about ourselves, and after the game you can kind of worry about those friendships."
Video: Brendan Gallagher on playing against Tomas Tatar
No doubt the pair will share a laugh in warmups before getting down to business.
Poehling: Focused on the task at hand
With Ducharme indicating that roster moves are coming shortly, Ryan Poehling knows he must take full advantage of every appearance.
Poehling has been held without a point in seven straight games, so a productive performance versus the Devils is a top priority.
Nevertheless, the 23-year-old St. Cloud State University product isn't about to let any pressure he's feeling get the best of him.
"You can't think too much about it and just do what you do best. That's the biggest thing. You're here for a reason. You've got to trust yourself and trust your game and just be yourself, and then how it plays out, it plays out," shared Poehling. "You can't think too much about what they're thinking. You've just got to do what you can do."
Video: Ryan Poehling on keeping his spot in the lineup
The former 25th-overall pick has seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in 30 games with Montreal this season.
