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Canadiens Announce Major Line Change: Kirby Dach Moves to First Line, New Second-Line Centre Named

Originally posted on Habs Fanatics | By Elias Adaime | Last updated Oct 21, 2024 2:40 PM ET

We have major changes with the Montreal Canadiens today.

As the players return to the ice live from Brossard after a rare day off, head coach Martin St-Louis has indeed made significant adjustments.

Kirby Dach on the first line, Oliver Kapanen as the new second-line center

It's important to note, this comes in part due to the absence of Juraj Slafkovsky

But Martin St-Louis has really shaken things up.

Normally, when a player is missing, they are simply replaced by a "placeholder," a player who fills in "temporarily."

However, this morning, Martin St-Louis changed everything.

This clearly suggests major changes are coming to the line combinations, with the goal of reigniting Kirby Dach's performance.

It's worth noting that the second line has unfortunately not lived up to expectations at the start of the season.

Here are the new combinations:

Joel Armia may be the "placeholder" for Juraj Slafkovsky, but for now, here are the revamped top two lines.

Dach - Suzuki - Caufield

Newhook - Kapanen - Armia (Slafkovsky?)

It's looking promising!

"With Slafkovsky out for treatment, Kirby Dach practiced with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Oliver Kapanen centered Alex Newhook and Joel Armia."
"The Evans line remains intact. Michael Pezzetta skated with Emil Heineman and Christian Dvorak."

- Eric Engels, Sportsnet

We'll have to watch for the return of the big Slovak, but expect to see Kirby Dach on the top line.

It really looks like we have a new first line!

Stay tuned.

This article first appeared on Habs Fanatics and was syndicated with permission.

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