Canadiens get huge Game 3 surprise as player suddenly returns

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David St-Jean
May 25, 2026  (1:44 PM)

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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Joe Veleno is back in the Canadiens lineup for Game 3 tonight against Carolina, with Oliver Kapanen heading to the press box.

The decision comes from Martin St-Louis with the series tied 1-1 and the puck dropping at the Bell Centre.

Kapanen was kept on the ice for extra work this morning alongside Arber Xhekaj, Brendan Gallagher, Patrik Laine, Samuel Montembeault and Jacob Fowler.

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That bonus skate is rarely a good sign for a young forward fighting for a spot. Veleno had already left the rink. Tell me that doesn't say everything.

The numbers do the rest of the talking. Kapanen has zero points and a -2 rating through seven playoff games after a strong 22-goal regular season.

Veleno has not exactly forced his way back either. One assist in six postseason games and a -1 across that stretch.

So why the change? St-Louis wants more bite in the bottom six against a Hurricanes group that punished Montreal physically in Game 2.

The Canadiens rolled into Round 3 on the back of a brutal seven-game grind against Buffalo. They blew Carolina out 6-2 in Game 1, then dropped Game 2 in overtime, 3-2.

Veleno only has one game-winning goal in his 61 regular season appearances, but he kills penalties and wins draws. Tonight that matters more than offence.

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Carolina lives on forecheck reps. If your bottom six cannot escape its own zone for a full shift, the series tilts fast. That is the math St-Louis is solving.

Kapanen, 22 years old at $925,000, is not buried for the rest of the round. He is being asked to watch, reset, and wait for the next opening.

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And Alex Newhook has been the bright spot nobody is touching. Seven goals in 16 playoff games tells you who is driving the secondary offence right now.

The Bell Centre will be loud at puck drop. With home ice back in their pocket, the Canadiens cannot afford to fall behind in this series before Wednesday's Game 4.

Previously

Offseason surgery takes a turn for the worst for Maple Leafs forward Max Domi

Canadiens lineup takes a major turn as Martin St-Louis sits key player for game 3 vs. the Hurricanes

Mitch Marner immediately slams specific ex-Maple Leafs teammates after Golden Knights win

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1 HOUR AGO   |   102 ANSWERS Canadiens get huge Game 3 surprise as player suddenly returns Is benching Oliver Kapanen for Joe Veleno the right call in Game 3?

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