Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson (8) lines up for a faceoff during the second period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. Matheson was out for Tuesday night's game against the Utah Hockey Club with a lower-body injury. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jeffrey T. Barnes
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson was not available for Tuesday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club due to a lower-body injury.
The Canadiens announced his injury half an hour before puck drop. Jayden Struble took his place in the lineup as Montreal (7-11-2) faced Utah (8-10-3) for the first time.
Matheson participated in the morning skate but missed practice on Monday.
The 30-year-old from nearby Pointe-Claire, Que., leads all Montreal blueliners with 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 20 games as the lone defenceman on the team’s top power-play unit.
Struble has one goal and three assists in 15 games this season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024.