A familiar face is getting another look in Montreal.
Forward Samuel Blais has been recalled by the Montreal Canadiens (19-12-4) from the AHL’s Laval Rocket, the team announced on Sunday.
The Canadiens head to Pittsburgh for the second game of a back-to-back against the Penguins on Sunday.
Blais, 28, has been with the Rocket since being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs in early October, providing some experience and physicality since arriving in Laval. He spent training camp with the Canadiens before being cut and picked up by Toronto.
If Blais does hit the ice against the Penguins (14-11-9), it would be his first NHL action since facing the Canadiens as a Maple Leaf in November. The Montmagny, Que., native has played 265 games across his NHL career and won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
The move to bring Blais up comes as Montreal deals with issues at centre.
Jake Evans left Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh early after suffering a lower-body injury, and head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters after the game that he would not travel with the team for the road trip.
Evans was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Penguins forward Justin Brazeau.
Montreal's six-game road trip also includes visits to the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and Blues.
