Canadiens at Sharks preview

CANADIENS (1-3-1) AT SHARKS (1-3-0)
10:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV

The Canadiens will make two changes to their lineup. Defenseman Joe Morrow will replace Jordie Benn and make his Montreal debut. Fourth-line center Torrey Mitchell will replace Jacob de la Rose.
Montreal, which has lost four straight games, is averaging 1.40 goals per game, last in the League. No player has more than one goal for the Canadiens. San Jose is averaging 2.0 goals per game, tied for 27th in the NHL.

Players to watch

Forward Kevin Labanc leads the Sharks in goals (three) and points (four). Two of his goals have come on the power play.
Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is 1-3-1 with a 3.45 goals-against average and .855 save percentage this season. He's struggled against the Sharks in his career, going 2-6-1.

They said it

"We needed to make a change there. [Jordie Benn] has been fighting it a little bit, so it's a chance for Joe [Morrow] to come in and do the job for us. Joey didn't have the greatest camp. Tried to do a little too much, but there's still some qualities there we could use tonight, if they're used properly. I think you're going to see a guy if he's playing well that can skate the puck out of your own end and move it quickly." -- Montreal coach Claude Julien on replacing Jordie Benn with Joe Morrow
"No. You just cross your fingers. He's the best in the business. Track record doesn't mean anything." -- San Jose coach Peter DeBoer on success against Montreal goaltender Carey Price

Canadiens projected lineup

Max Pacioretty -- Jonathan Drouin -- Artturi Lehkonen
Paul Byron -- Tomas Plekanec -- Brendan Gallagher
Charles Hudon -- Phillip Danault -- Andrew Shaw
Alex Galchenyuk -- Torrey Mitchell -- Ales Hemsky
Victor Mete -- Shea Weber
Karl Alzner -- Jeff Petry
Joe Morrow -- Brandon Davidson
Carey Price
Al Montoya
Scratched:Jacob De La Rose, Jordie Benn
Injured: David Schlemko (hand)

Sharks projected lineup

Kevin Labanc -- Joe Thornton -- Joe Pavelski
Tomas Hertl -- Logan Couture -- Melker Karlsson
Timo Meier -- Chris Tierney -- Mikkel Boedker
Joonas Donskoi -- Ryan Carpenter -- Jannik Hansen
Joakim Ryan -- Brent Burns
Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Justin Braun
Brenden Dillon -- Tim Heed
Martin Jones
Aaron Dell
Scratched:Barclay Goodrow, Dylan DeMelo, Joel Ward
Injured: Paul Martin (ankle)

Status report

Schlemko, who was recalled Saturday after a conditioning assignment with Laval of the American Hockey League, did not make the trip. ... Boedker was dropped from the second line to the third and Donskoi was dropped from the third line to the fourth. Karlsson moved up from the fourth line to the second.

Stat pack

Drouin leads Montreal with three points (one goal, two assists). ... Jones, who will make his fourth start of the season, is 5-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .925 save percentage in six career games against Montreal.