The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the New York Rangers without forward Juraj Slafkovsky, who will be sidelined for at least a week due to an upper-body injury.

This absence opens the door for Michael Pezzetta, who will make his season debut after being a healthy scratch in the first six games. Kirby Dach is expected to return to the top line alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, while rookie Oliver Kapanen will take on the role of center for the second line.