Canadiens' Emelin returns after 5-game absence

The Montreal Canadiens will have Alexei Emelin back on the blue line for Wednesday's big game against the New York Rangers, the club announced.

The defenseman, who missed five games with a lower-body injury, recorded two assists and eight shots while averaging over 20 minutes a night through the first 17 games of the season.

Greg Pateryn will sit to make room in the lineup.

The Canadiens and Rangers sit in a tie with the Dallas Stars atop the league standings with 34 points apiece.