Jared Davidson is set to make his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Citytv, SNE, and TVA Sports.

The Canadiens are looking to snap a two-game losing streak, during which they have been outscored 12-1. In contrast, the Bruins are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, which ended their seven-game winning streak. Currently, the Canadiens hold first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 10-5-2, but they are tied in points with the Senators (9-5-4) and the Bruins (11-8-0).

Samuel Montembeault will start in goal for the Canadiens. He has a record of 4-4-1, with a goals-against average of 3.61 and a save percentage of .857. In a recent game against the Dallas Stars, Montembeault allowed two goals on six shots in the third period after replacing Jakub Dobes, who had given up five goals on 13 shots. Dobes has a record of 6-1-1, with a 2.70 GAA and a .901 save percentage.

"We haven’t helped them out," said Canadiens center Jake Evans regarding the team's goaltenders. "We know they’re both great goalies and we’re 100 percent confident in them every game. (Thursday) night was a couple of weird bounces, but mostly we just gave up Grade A chances and they capitalized. So it’s not on the goalies — it’s on the team in front of them."

Davidson was called up from the AHL’s Laval Rocket on Friday after Alex Newhook was expected to be sidelined for four months due to surgery on a fractured ankle. Davidson, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 183 pounds, has recorded 9 goals and 2 assists in 13 games this season with Laval. Last season, he had 24 goals and 21 assists in 69 games.

The Canadiens selected Davidson in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 130th overall. He will wear No. 49 and play left wing on a line with center Joe Veleno and right winger Brendan Gallagher.

"I think you build from (training) camp and even previous years," Davidson said after Saturday's morning skate. "I had a pretty good year last year as well. Just kind of building off of my pro years and trying to get better every chance I can. That’s kind of what’s led to success down in Laval. I’ve been lucky enough to get the call today and I’m pretty happy."

Davidson emphasized the importance of his physical play and energy. "Scoring down there a whole bunch helps," he noted. "But I think just the physical play, being able to bring a little bit of energy and bring other parts of the game defensively, offensively, kind of whatever needs to be done. I think that’s kind of what I’m willing to do and I think that’s why I’m here."

Davidson's journey to the NHL has not been easy. He was not selected in the junior WHL Draft and made the Seattle Thunderbirds as a walk-on after being cut by several teams. He was also passed over in his first two years of NHL Draft eligibility. The Canadiens drafted him after he posted impressive stats with the Thunderbirds, including 42 goals and 47 assists in 64 games during the 2021-22 season.

"That has created who I am as a person," Davidson said last season. "You get cut when you’re younger and have two options — you can shut down and give up or work harder. That’s what my family has taught me, to keep pushing. You can fail a million times. You just need one opportunity. Going to Seattle and getting that opportunity started my career. But getting cut from all those teams started me on that path."

Davidson's family will be in attendance for his debut. The Canadiens will feel the absence of Newhook, who had 6 goals and 6 assists in 17 games. Kirby Dach will take Newhook's place on the line with rookies Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov.

Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis expressed empathy for Newhook's situation. "It’s hard … I went through something like that very similar," he said. "I’m going to talk to Newhy about my own experience. It’s not fun. Especially when you feel like he’s a player who has come to another level and then you get that. It’s hard, but he’ll be fine."