Canadiens top prospect to make NHL debut on Thursday vs Pittsburgh
Following Wednesday's practice, Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme announced that prospect Mattias Norlinder will make his NHL debut on Thursday night at the Bell Centre against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ducharme added that Norlinder will see time on the power-play, but didn't confirm whether or not he would take Chris Wideman's spot on the first unit.
Norlinder, 21, was one of Montreal's third round pick's in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to coming to North America, he spent time in the Modo Hockey system in Sweden, and played in the Swedish Hockey League with Frolunda HC during the 2020-21 season.
He met with reporters following practice today and said that he's excited to play against his childhood idol, Sidney Crosby.
"Growing up, he was my idol. Tomorrow, he will not be my idol," Norlinder said.
Puck drop for Montreal vs Pittsburgh on Thursday night is set for 7pm ET on TSN2 and RDS.
Dominique Ducharme confirme que Mattias Norlinder effectuera ses débuts dans la LNH, jeudi contre Pittsburgh.
Dominique Ducharme confirms that Mattias Norlinder will make his NHL debut on Thursday night against Pittsburgh.#GoHabsGo— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 17, 2021
#Habs Norlinder on playing against #Penguins Crosby on Thursday: «Growing up, he was my idol. Tomorrow, he will not be my idol.»— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) November 17, 2021
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mikko Rantanen | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jake Debrusk | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Brock Nelson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jonathan Drouin | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Roman Josi | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kirill Marchenko | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kyle Palmieri | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matt Duchene | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Samuel Girard | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Claude Giroux | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Oliver Kylington | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 21 | 17 | 4 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 30 | |
Devils | 23 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 | |
Hurricanes | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 | |
Golden Knights | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
Flames | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 19 | 13 | 6 | - | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||