The Montreal Canadiens could be getting a key piece back on their blue line for a do-or-die Game 7.
Defenceman Noah Dobson will take pre-game warmups and is a game-time decision for Sunday’s Game 7 showdown against the Tampa Bay Lightning (Sportsnet, 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT), head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters before puck drop.
Dobson has missed the entirety of the first-round series with a thumb injury suffered against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 11. He was hurt while blocking a shot.
The 26-year-old has been a solid addition to the Montreal blue line since being acquired in an off-season trade from the New York Islanders last summer.
He has 12 goals and 25 assists in 80 games this year and is averaging the third-most ice time (22:29) among Canadiens skaters, behind only fellow blue liners Mike Matheson and Lane Hutson.
