The Penguins didn't want Hal Gill to leave this summer for free agency.

Now, they're not very excited about having the imposing defenseman come back.

Not wearing a Montreal uniform, anyway, as he will be when the Canadiens visit Mellon Arena at 7:38 tonight.

When Montreal general manager Bob Gainey overhauled his roster during the offseason, he put a premium on adding speed. That obviously is not Gill's forte, but at 6 feet 7, 241 pounds he presents quite an obstacle for opposing forwards.

"He can, physically, match up against you, and it's hard to get around him and it's hard to get through him," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "He has that long stick that can be so effective, both five-on-five and on the penalty-kill.

"He's a smart hockey player who's committed to defending. Sometimes, you get an offensive player or a two-way defenseman [who's] not always thinking about defense, but Hal is committed to defense and he's a formidable foe to get around. You have to try to put pucks behind him and use speed against him."

Gill, by the way, is scheduled to pick up his Stanley Cup ring while he is in town. General manager Ray Shero is expected to present it to him before or after Montreal's game-day skate.

Montreal coach Jacques Martin won't identify his starting goalie until today, and it's easy to understand why he would have a tough time choosing between Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak.

Price historically plays well against the Penguins, while Halak has started -- and won -- the Canadiens' past four games.

Therefore, Bylsma has avoided concentrating in on either of those goalies while preparing his team for tonight's game.

"We've actually been talking about both their goaltenders the last two days," he said. "The problems they pose, or the issues they pose."

If Martin opts to stick with the hot hand and start Halak, Bylsma said, it will be imperative for the Penguins to get shots on goal and capitalize on any rebounds that are created.

"A lot of the goals that have gone in against [Halak] in the past have been from that area," he said.

Center Sidney Crosby has been chosen to carry the Olympic torch Nov. 18 in his home province of Nova Scotia as part of a cross-Canada relay. He is one of about 12,000 people being accorded that honor in advance of the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

"It's a great honor," he said. "I never thought I'd have that chance."

There is a catch, however. Crosby will carry the torch one day before the Penguins have a game in Ottawa, which is less-than-ideal timing but will not prevent him from being involved.

"It comes in the middle of the season for us and the schedule can be hectic, but the honor that this is -- not only to carry the torch, but to do it for his country -- it's not even once in a lifetime," Bylsma said. "It's greater than that.

"We wanted Sid to do it and encouraged the opportunity. I think it's awesome. I can't wait to see the footage and hear about the experience of doing it."

Winger Pascal Dupuis missed practice because of illness for the second day in a row and is not expected to play against Montreal. Chris Bourque would take his spot in the lineup. ... Tonight's game concludes a five-game homestand for the Penguins, who will visit Columbus Friday.

Penguins Plus, a blog by Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson, is featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.