The Montreal Canadiens are not messing around this season. Ahead of the year during training camp, Tomas Plekanec and Karl Alzner would’ve been clear locks to make the opening night lineup. And now hours ahead of puck drop, the team reveals that both veterans will be healthy scratches.
Rookie Nikita Scherbak is also taking a seat tonight. Unlike Plekanec and Alzner, there isn’t much of a surprise there. Scherbak didn’t do enough during the preseason to force his way on to the team. Perhaps he gets an opportunity later on, but for now, it’s off to the press box.