Poolers who have Mike Matheson on their roster can smile: the 
Canadiens defenseman returns tonight against the 
Bruins in Boston. Montreal confirmed it early this afternoon, and Adam Engstrom will sit out to make room for him.
Six games on the shelf
Matheson has not played since October 27, when he picked up two assists in a 2-0 win over the 
St. Louis Blues. A lower-body injury then kept him out for six games, and the Canadiens still did well without him, going 4-0-2 in that stretch.
The 32-year-old has four points in eight games this season, averaging 23:45 a night. He leads the Canadiens in shorthanded ice time at 4:28 a game, so watch his usage in that role right away tonight. He will skate next to Arber Xhekaj, according to the NHL.com game preview.
Suzuki and Evans are in too
More good news up front: Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans, who missed Wednesday's practice for treatment, have been cleared to play. Jacob Fowler will start in goal for Montreal. Ivan Demidov and Samuel Montembeault stay out, both with a lower-body injury.
What it means for your pool
Matheson has never been a big power-play producer this season, but his minutes, his blocked shots and his shorthanded time make him a useful defenseman in pools that count defensive categories. Put him back in your lineup tonight. Engstrom loses his spot for now: he played well in 12 games with a plus-6 rating, but he will need another opening to get back in.
Sources
The facts in this article come from the Montreal Canadiens on X, RDS, Daily Faceoff, Pro Hockey Rumors and NHL.com.