David Savard will return to action this Sunday evening at the Bell Centre, when the Canadian will host the Nashville Predators.

The defender broke his left hand on October 23 while blocking a shot. The team’s medical staff then estimated his recovery at six to eight weeks. His return therefore falls exactly within this range.

The 33-year-old veteran was limited to five games this season. Late Sunday afternoon, he indicated that he had received the full green light from the doctors, in particular to block throws. “We put a little more protection in case, by bad luck, I received a shot in the same place,” he said.

It’s not this injury that will make this blocked shot specialist fearful. “It’s part of my game, I’m not going to change who I am. I’ve played like that my whole life! »

It is not yet known who will give up his place against the Predators: a decision will be made during the warm-up period, the organization indicated.

It’s questionable whether Kaiden Guhle and Justin Barron will be able to play, since both appeared shaken during Saturday night’s game in Buffalo. Moreover, Savard learned on Saturday evening, after his club’s victory in the shootout, that he would be called in as reinforcements on Sunday.

We nevertheless know that at least one of the two will be in uniform, since the team announced that it had given up defender Mattias Norlinder to the Laval Rocket to make room for Savard in the lineup. Recalled on November 21, the Swede did not play during his stay of more than two weeks in Montreal.

On offense, unsurprisingly, Tanner Pearson will not face the Predators, he who was hit by a shot on Saturday. He appeared to have discomfort in his hand or arm. A CH spokesperson indicated that more details would be revealed on the condition of his injury after the match. Michael Pezzetta will take his place in the lineup.

It is Jake Allen who will defend the Montreal net. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.