Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson is sidelined once more, facing a two-week recovery window due to a lower-body injury. The fresh setback arrives just after Matheson worked his way back into the lineup on Oct. 23 following a four-game absence stemming from an earlier lower-body issue. It remains undetermined whether the two physical setbacks are connected.
Now 32 years old, Matheson has recorded one goal and four points across eight appearances this season while averaging 23 minutes and 45 seconds of ice time per contest. Since arriving in Montreal during the 2022-23 campaign, the veteran defenceman has established himself as an offensive catalyst from the blueline, clearing the 30-point threshold in each season highlighted by a career-best 62-point performance in 2023-24.
Matheson’s renewed absence deals another blow to an 8-3-2 Canadiens squad that has navigated significant early-season attrition. Several key contributors have spent time on the injured reserve, a group that includes captain Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov.
Meanwhile, progress is being made elsewhere on Montreal’s injury list. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault is drawing closer to game action after being upgraded to day-to-day status. Montembeault has been out of commission since sustaining an injury during an Oct. 7 practice session.
The Canadiens are scheduled to hit the ice next against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
