Imagine this: a hockey team’s morning skate, where every player’s presence—or absence—could hint at the lineup for the big game ahead. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Jayden Struble, nursing an upper-body injury, surprised everyone by joining his Montreal Canadiens teammates on the ice during the optional session on December 2, 2025. Is this a sign of a quicker-than-expected return, or just a player testing his limits? Let’s dive into the details.
The Canadiens were gearing up for their Tuesday night clash against the Ottawa Senators, and the morning skate offered a glimpse into who might hit the ice. Alongside Struble, a mix of forwards, defensemen, and goalies took to the rink. Here’s the full list of participants:
Forwards:
- Bolduc (76)
- Carrier (45)
- Dobes (75)
- Gallagher (11)
- Kapanen (91)
- Suzuki (14)
- Veleno (90)
- Texier (85)
Defensemen:
- Davidson (49)
- Dobson (53)
- Engstrom (42)
- Hutson (48)
- Struble (47)
- Xhekaj (72)
- F. Xhekaj (63)
Goalies:
- Montembeault (35)
And this is the part most people miss: while Struble’s presence was notable, head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed that Samuel Montembeault would be guarding the net for the game. Any last-minute lineup changes? Those won’t be revealed until after warmups, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. ET, but there’s more to this game than just the score. The Canadiens are also hosting Lane Hutson Bobblehead Night, presented by RONA—a fun twist for fans attending the game. If you’re thinking of joining, grab your tickets here.
Controversial question: Should Struble be rushed back into the lineup, or is it wiser to let him fully recover? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
