Alzner had one shot and one hit over 17:07 of ice time on the third pair in Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Claude Julien, looking to tighten up his defense, inserted stay-at-home types Alzner and Brett Kulak, while puck-movers Mike Reilly and Xavier Ouellet were healthy scratches. Montreal now has eight defensemen on the roster, and the field will get more crowded Tuesday when Shea Weber (knee) is expected to return. There will be some shakeup on the blue line in the coming days, which could result in Alzner, a healthy scratch in 16 of 23 games, regaining a nightly spot in the lineup.

Alzner started in place of Noah Juulsen on Thursday and had four blocked shots, two hits, a two-minute minor penalty and one shot on net in a 6-5 overtime loss to Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Juulsen sat out with the normal bumps and bruises NHL defensemen experience, so this might just be a one-game appearance for Alzner, who made his first start in five games. He played a typically physical game and finished plus-1 over a season-high 19:19 of ice time. The veteran blueliner has appeared in just five of the first 16 games and is plus-2.

Alzner had five hits and one shot in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Alzner filled in for the injured Noah Juulsen and played just the third time in 10 games. As typically is the case for players that have experienced a string of healthy scratches, Alzner made an impact by delivering body checks. His five hits topped Montreal's blueliners, which his helpful, but his game doesn't fit the fast-paced style coach Claude Julien has implemented this season.

Alzner will sub in for the injured Noah Juulsen (upper body) in Saturday's road game against the Bruins, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzner has only appeared in two of a possible nine games for the Habs so far, and it's discouraging that it took an injury to another blueliner for Alzner to find his way back into a game. At any rate, it's safe to use him in daily leagues if you want to take a flier on the veteran.

Alzner will play his first game of the 2018-19 season Wednesday against the Blues, John Lu of TSN.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

A healthy scratch to begin the year, Alzner had his consecutive games played streak snapped at 622. Set to draw back into the lineup Wednesday, the veteran blueliner should undoubtedly be fresh and eager to show why he belongs in the lineup each and every night. That said, his lack of offensive upside renders him useless in most fantasy formats.

Alzner was a healthy scratch for Wednesday's season-opener against Toronto, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The DNP snapped Alzner's iron man streak at 622 consecutive games. Coach Claude Julien put out an active roster that accentuated youth and speed, as the 30-year-old Alzner and the 35-year-old Tomas Plekanec were scratched. We don't think this will be a regular occurrence; Alzner could rotate in with the 31-year-old Jordie Benn.

Alzner supplied 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) while averaging 20:04 of ice time throughout 2017-18.

EDGE Analysis

Although his points total doesn't necessarily stand out, Alzner was able to deliver 140 hits and block 144 shots throughout the course of the season, although he did stay on the second pairing even with Shea Weber (foot) sidelined. The 29-year-old was also potentially robbed in the points department, as he attempted 188 shots and had 84 on net, but just lit the lamp once -- he did however, start 63 percent of his shifts in the defensive zone which limited his offensive opportunities. Alzner's entering the second season of a five-year contract with Montreal, and figures to be deployed in a similar role in 2018-19.

Alzner had an assist for the second straight game along with two shots and four hits over 21:02 of ice time in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

That's a rare point streak for Alzner, who last went back-to-back in October against Toronto and San Jose. With 10 points over 59 games, Alzner has delivered minimally on offense, which was expected. His minus-6, however, was not predicted. He's not the worst Canadien in plus-minus, but Alzer's well off the pace set with the Capitals over the last three seasons (plus-51).

Alzner scored his first goal of the season and added an assist with a plus-3 rating in a 5-2 victory over the Canucks on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Scoring isn't his forte, so it's not too shocking he hadn't found the back of the net yet, but Alzner hasn't been the player fantasy owners or the Canadiens hoped he would be in 2017-18. At the halfway mark , he has just five points and a minus-10 rating. Alzner hasn't posted a minus rating in a season since 2013-14. He's only worth a look in deep leagues with time on ice as a category.

Alzner had two shots on net, one hit and three blocked shots in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Offense isn't Alzner's forte, so fantasy owners need him to execute in the more traditional areas associated with blueliners, like blocked shots and hits. He's currently second on the team in both categories and has picked up the pace of late. Over the last 13 games, he's averaged 2.38 hits and 2.15 blocks per game.