Montreal Canadiens recall Karl Alzner from Laval Rocket

Montreal Canadiens Karl Alzner handles the puck during first period of National Hockey League game against the New York Islanders in Montreal Monday January 15, 2018.

OTTAWA — Karl Alzner will play his first NHL game in more than a year when he suits up for the Canadiens against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday at the Canadian Tire Centre ( 7p.m., City, SNE, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio ).

Alzner was recalled on an emergency basis after the team lost defencemen Xavier Ouellet and Victor Mete to injuries. Ouellet suffered a concussion in Thursday’s win over Washington, while Mete injured his foot in Tuesday’s loss In Detroit . Both players returned to Montreal for treatment on Friday.

The 31-year-old Alzner signed a five-year contract with the Habs as a free agent in 2017, but he and his $4.625-million cap hit were buried in Laval last January when the team determined he couldn’t keep up in the Canadiens up-tempo system . His last NHL game was Jan. 10, 2019, in St. Louis .