The Montreal Canadiens have spent much of the season navigating injuries while staying competitive in the Atlantic Division race. Their luck might be changing at the best possible time.
Montreal enters its final stretch at 45-22-10 with 100 points in 77 games and five points ahead of the Boston Bruins in the divisional standings.
While Montreal has already secured a playoff spot, the Canadiens are still battling for a better seed and could match the Buffalo Sabres' 102-point season through 78 games with a win on Tuesday.
Forward Kirby Dach has appeared in just 32 games, recording eight goals and 14 points after dealing with multiple injuries this season. Alexandre Texier, meanwhile, has also missed time recently after notching eight goals and 20 points in 46 games.
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Both players were on the injury report entering the week, seemingly thinning Montreal’s lineup ahead of the final stretch of the season. That, however, is not the case anymore.
Sportsnet's Eric Engels first reported at Tuesday's morning skate that both Dach and Texier were on the ice for Tuesday morning’s skate, signaling progress toward a return.
Their status was later confirmed by head coach Martin St. Louis ahead of the matchup against the Florida Panthers.
“They are both available to return to the lineup,” St. Louis confirmed. “Both players had some good stretches this season, but they were each slowed down by injuries.
“Dach is a guy who can carry the puck, he’s strong on the forecheck, and he retrieves pucks in the offensive zone. Tex is somewhat similar, but also different. He extends time in the offensive zone by protecting the puck very well. He uses his body well. When they play to their strengths, they add important elements to our lineup.”
Their return gives Montreal some lineup flexibility, with 14 healthy forwards now available on Tuesday after missing them of late.
The Canadiens host the Panthers on Tuesday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET at Centre Bell in Montreal.
