Habs Daily: Injury Updates, Defensive Improvements, Fowler Or Dobes

The Montreal Canadiens are managing key roster decisions and injury updates ahead of their game against the Buffalo Sabres. Head coach Martin St-Louis is weighing a goaltending choice between Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes, while writer Marc Dumont argues Fowler currently holds the hot hand. On defense, St-Louis's tactical adjustments pairing Lane Hutson on the top unit and Adam Engstrom on the third have shown encouraging early defensive improvements.

On the injury front, Juraj Slafkovsky took a maintenance day following heavy contact in a 5-4 loss to the Washington Capitals but is expected to play Saturday. Forward Florian Xhekaj is projected to miss two weeks due to a lower-body injury, while Oliver Kapanen returned to team drills in Brossard despite lingering questions regarding his and Mike Matheson's statuses.