DeBrusk has gone goalless in his last nine games, picking up three assists while playing 14:10 ATOI. DeBrusk will be replaced by Sean Kuraly on the third line and Trent Frederic in the lineup.
Gallagher fractured his thumb on Monday and will miss at least six weeks. Placing him on LTIR gives the Canadiens some cap flexibility heading into the trade deadline that they otherwise wouldn't have had. This is obviously a big loss but it could prove to be a positive if they can add another impact player with the new found cap room.
Gallagher was hit in the hand by a shot on Monday and did not return to the game. In his post-game comments, head coach Dominique Ducharme said that Gallagher will miss weeks with a fractured thumb. With Gallagher out, Jesperi Kotkaniemi could transition to the wing for a short period of time, moving him back into the top-9.
DeBrusk missed the last six games with COVID-19 but will replace Anders Bjork in the lineup on Monday. DeBrusk, who has just seven points (3G / 4A) in 21 games this season, will skate on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Zachary Senyshyn.
After a rocky start to the season, Demko has settled in as one of the best goalies in the NHL. In the month of March, Demko was tied for third in the NHL in wins (8), eighth in SV% (.937) and tied for 11th in GAA (2.15). Demko has proven he is the goaltender of the future in Vancouver and earned a nice five-year extension, which kicks in next year.