A pair of Montreal Canadiens players are set to make their season debuts on Saturday.
Defenceman David Reinbacher and centre Oliver Kapanen have been inserted into the lineup ahead of the team's game against the Buffalo Sabres, the team announced Saturday.
The Canadiens recalled Reinbacher from the AHL's Laval Rocket ahead of the second half of a back-to-back against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, but he did not appear in the game.
Montreal made the move after Mike Matheson missed Tuesday's game with a lower-body injury that has been classified as day-to-day. The 21-year-old Reinbacher will replace Adam Engstrom in the lineup.
The 2023 fifth-overall pick played in just two NHL games last season, recording one assist. He is set to be paired with Arber Xhekaj.
Kapanen will re-enter the lineup after being sidelined with a lower-body injury to start the season.
The 23-year-old was a key part of the team last season, recording 22 goals and 37 points across 82 games. He will draw into the lineup in place of Owen Beck.
Jacob Fowler will start in net.
