Montreal Canadiens fans may get their first look at Brandon Davidson tonight in Vancouver.
Davidson, acquired last week in a trade with Edmonton, is expected to make his Habs debut against the Canucks. The 25-year-old defenseman is likely to replace struggling veteran Alexei Emelin.
“I really hope that I’m able to get in there,” said Davidson, per the Montreal Gazette. “It’s been a little while now. I sat a couple of games before the (trade) deadline trying not to get hurt. So I’m ready, I’m excited. I can’t wait to go.”
As for Emelin, head coach Claude Julien doesn’t expect the 30-year-old Russian to be out for long.
“He should be an everyday line-up guy. He’s that good,” Julien said of Emelin. “He’s just struggling a little bit. Some decision-making, with the puck, without the puck. Sometimes, just taking a step back and maybe give him an opportunity to watch, if that’s the case, he’ll come back a better player. I know we need him. He’s a very physical player. He’s a hard player to play against.”
The Habs kick off their Western Canada road trip riding a five-game winning streak. They’re in Calgary Thursday and Edmonton Saturday.