Schlemko had a goal, four shots on net and two blocked shots over 12:13 of ice time in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Schlemko, who had been a healthy scratch Thursday after posting just two points in 23 games, potted his first goal in a Canadiens uniform, doing something we don't often see from Montreal's blueliners -- creating offense. He jumped into a 3-on-2 rush and fired a wrister past Ryan Miller, chasing the Anaheim goalie after he allowed three goals in the first 10 minutes. Generating offense isn't a strength of Schlemko, who has 18 goals in 384 career NHL games.

Schlemko (illness) will return to game action versus the Panthers on Saturday, Arpon Basu of The Athletic Montreal reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Schlemko is anything but a fantasy gem -- the journeyman's collected only one point (an assist) through 11 games this season -- Montreal needs all the help it can get against the two-way powerhouse of the Atlantic Division. We'd expect Schlemko to block a couple of shots with a realistic chance of clearing 20 minutes in this next contest.

Schlemko (illness) will miss a second straight game Thursday against Tampa Bay, Arpon Basu of The Athletic Montreal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Schlemko's ongoing absence will test Montreal's depth at defense, but it won't mean much for fantasy owners, as he's only tallied one helper in 11 games this campaign. The veteran blueliner's next chance to return to the lineup will come Saturday against the Panthers.

Schlemko will not suit up for Wednesday's clash with the Hurricans due to illness.

EDGE Analysis

Schlemko is considered day-to-day by the Habs, so while he didn't make the trip to Carolina, he could still rejoin the team prior to Thursday's tilt against the Lightning. Since returning to action following a hand injury, the defenseman has been limited to just one helper in 11 outings. In the meantime, Montreal recalled Brett Lernout to slot into the blue line.

Schlemko had two shots and 15:54 of ice time in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Schlemko also played 1:42 on the second power-play unit in what was the 30-year-old's season debut, after missing the first 25 games with a hand injury. He replaced Victor Mete, who had regressed to the point where head coach Claude Julien had to pick specific spots for the rookie's shifts. Schlemko's ability to log minutes against any opposing player, regardless of size or experience, will make it easier on the defensive corps as the Canadiens get by without top blueliner Shea Weber (lower body).

Schlemko (hand) was confirmed to be in the lineup Wednesday night versus the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

The Alberta native reportedly will replace Victor Mete, but coach Claude Julien was rather coy when asked who Schlemko will be paired with in the next contest, as the bench boss replied with "everybody," according to Arpon Basu of The Athletic. For what it's worth, we're projecting his defensive partner to be Jakub Jarabek, comprising the third pair.

Schlemko (hand) told reporters after practice Tuesday that he's ready to play Wednesday against the Senators, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Claude Julien is still mulling over having Schlemko return Wednesday, but did have the Albertan alternating on the second-unit power play. If Weber's active against the Senators, we suspect the roster casualty would be rookie Victor Mete, who had 6:11 of ice time in Monday's win over the Blue Jackets. Schlemko's return would allow Julien to spread out the minutes out more evenly heading into a back-to-back set that has Montreal playing in Detroit on Thursday.

Schlemko (hand) won't play Monday against the Blue Jackets. However, head coach Claude Julien says that he be in the lineup at some point this week.

EDGE Analysis

The Habs play Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, so any of those games could mark Schlemko's Montreal debut. Since the 30-year-old hasn't played for the Canadiens yet, it is hard to know exactly what he role will be.

Schlemko (hand) practiced with the Canadiens on Sunday after playing two games with Laval of the American Hockey League over the weekend, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Claude Julien declared Schlemko "ready to play," but would not confirm the defenseman's status for Monday's home game against the Blue Jackets. The 30-year-old blueliner has been with the Habs since the summer, so he understands the system. All that's left is to get him into a game and adjust after a prolonged stretch away from the pace of the NHL.

Schlemko's (hand) status for his season debut will be decided prior to Monday's contest against Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Schlemko has been dealing with a hand injury and eventually underwent surgery in October. The 6-foot-1 blueliner tallied 18 points for San Jose last year and can be a big boost to a Montreal team in need of some bodies on defense.