Mike Matheson Back For Canadiens, Fowler Starts

The Montreal Canadiens have confirmed that defenseman Matheson will be returning to the lineup for Friday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at 8:00 pm ET. He will be taking rookie defenseman Adam Engstrom’s spot in the lineup.

Mike Matheson has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury. In five games during the 2026-27 season so far, Matheson has recorded an assist with a -3 rating. His 24:09 of ice time per game is currently second most on the Canadiens, behind defenseman Lane Hutson.

The Montreal Canadiens also announced that goaltender Jacob Fowler will be making his fifth start of the season vs. the Blackhawks on Friday night. Fowler has a 3-1 record with a .900 save percentage and a 2.16 GAA, along with a shutout through his first four games.

Friday night’s game will be the first time in 547 regular games that the Canadiens will not have Nick Suzuki in their lineup, as he will miss a game for the first time in his seven-year NHL career. Suzuki will be out 2-4 weeks with a hand injury sustained from blocking a shot during Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. Forward Oliver Kapanen was slotted as the first-line centre during practice on Thursday.

Forward Owen Beck, who was recalled by the Canadiens on Thursday morning alongside the injury Suzuki news, will also be making a return to the lineup. Beck has played in two games with the Canadiens this season, where he has been held pointless with a -2 while averaging 7:22 in ice time. The 22-year-old forward has also played five games with the Laval Rocket, scoring a goal and an assist.

Here is the expected lineup for the Montreal Canadiens vs. the Chicago Blackhawks:

Forwards:

Cole Caufield – Oliver Kapanen – Juraj Slafkovsky 

Chris Kreider – Alex Newhook – Josh Anderson

Alexandre Texier – Phillip Danault – Zach Bolduc

Kirby Dach – Jake Evans – Owen Beck

Defense:

Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson

Kaiden Guhle – Alexandre Carrier

Mike Matheson – Arber Xhekaj

Goalies:

Jacob Fowler

Jakub Dobes