Alex Newhook's Early Return Provides Major Boost for Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are receiving a significant reinforcement ahead of their matchup against the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre on Thursday evening. Winger Alex Newhook, who suffered a fractured right ankle during a 7-0 loss to the Dallas Stars on November 13, is returning to the lineup ahead of schedule. Newhook underwent surgery the day after the injury, with initial projections indicating a four-month recovery period, but his determination and rehabilitation efforts have accelerated his comeback.
Lineup Adjustments and Player Updates
Newhook will slot in on the third line, playing left wing alongside centre Jake Evans and right-winger Alexandre Texier. Texier himself is returning after missing the last three games before the Olympic break due to a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Newhook had compiled impressive statistics with 6 goals, 6 assists, and a plus-7 differential across 17 games, demonstrating his value to the team's offensive depth.
In goal, Samuel Montembeault will get the start against the Islanders. Montembeault is coming off his best performance of the season, a 36-save effort in a 5-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on February 4. His confidence is high as the Canadiens look to solidify their position in the Atlantic Division standings.
Several players will not be available for Thursday's contest. Forwards Joe Veleno, Zachary Bolduc, and Patrik Laine, along with defenceman Jayden Struble, will watch from the press box. Laine remains on injured reserve following core-muscle surgery in late October, despite participating in full-contact practices with teammates before the Olympic break.
Team Standings and Historical Context
The Canadiens currently hold second place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 32 wins, 17 losses, and 8 overtime losses. They trail the first-place Tampa Bay Lightning by eight points, though the Lightning have played one fewer game. The New York Islanders, their opponents, sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 32-21-5 record, setting the stage for a competitive Eastern Conference clash.
This game also marks the first meeting between defenceman Noah Dobson and his former team since being traded by the Islanders last summer. The Canadiens acquired Dobson in exchange for forward Emil Heineman and two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) at the previous NHL Draft. Dobson has thrived in Montreal, recording 10 goals and 28 assists for 38 points in 57 games, already matching his goal totals from each of his last two seasons with New York.
Player Perspectives and Future Schedule
"It's been a long few months away from the team, just rehab," Newhook reflected after Wednesday's practice in Brossard. "A lot of credit to the staff here. Our trainers have been awesome, our strength guys have been great with me. It's a long road to get back. Every athlete knows it when they go through injuries like this. But I'm excited to get back; I'm excited to help this team down the stretch here."
Newhook added that his early-season performance built confidence and raised expectations for his return. "I think I gained a lot of confidence from the start of the year. I had my expectations for myself and had expectations coming into the year as to where I thought I could be as a player and what kind of player I could be for this team. I think early on in the season, I proved that, which was important to me and was important in terms of what I could do for the team."
Following the Islanders game, the Canadiens will host the Washington Capitals on Saturday at the Bell Centre, with Jakub Dobes anticipated to start in goal. The team then embarks on a California road trip, facing the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, and the Los Angeles Kings next Saturday, providing a critical test as the regular season approaches its conclusion.
