The Montreal Canadiens will have defenseman Alexei Emelin back in the lineup tonight for their Atlantic Division showdown in Tampa Bay.
Emelin has been out since getting hurt Feb. 18 in Ottawa. The 28-year-old is most likely to replace Greg Pateryn in the lineup, though nothing has been confirmed.
With a regulation win tonight, the Habs would move four points clear of the Lightning for top spot in the Atlantic, plus they’d still hold a game in hand. Obviously, a regulation loss would mean a tie in points.
The two teams play once more down the stretch, on March 30 in Montreal.
The Lighting have won all three of the meetings so far this season.