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Kapanen and Reinbacher to Make Season Debuts for Canadiens

Oliver Kapanen returns from a lower-body injury and David Reinbacher joins Montreal’s defense Saturday, with Jacob Fowler starting against Buffalo.

By TSP Staff
Oliver Kapanen in a white number 91 practice jersey at Montreal’s 2026-27 training camp in Brossard.
Oliver Kapanen at the Canadiens’ 2026-27 training camp in Brossard in September 2026. · Credit: Montreal Canadiens

Oliver Kapanen and David Reinbacher will make their season debuts for the Montreal Canadiens against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday at Bell Centre, the team confirmed. Jacob Fowler will start in goal.

Kapanen missed Montreal’s first seven games with a lower-body injury. He is projected to skate with Kirby Dach and Jake Evans, according to NHL.com’s lineup report. Reinbacher is listed alongside Arber Xhekaj on defense, with Adam Engstrom and Owen Beck coming out of the lineup.

The Canadiens recalled Reinbacher from Laval on Wednesday. The 21-year-old defenseman had two assists in four American Hockey League games this season. Montreal’s fifth overall selection in the 2023 draft, he recorded one assist in two NHL appearances last season.

Fowler will make his fourth start in five games since his Oct. 7 recall from Laval. Samuel Montembeault remains on the injured list with a lower-body injury.

Montreal enters at 3-3-1, while Buffalo is 4-3-1. The Canadiens won the teams’ first meeting 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday. Saturday’s game begins at 5 p.m. MDT.