With the Habs desperately trying to get into a playoff spot before it's too late (if it isn't already), losing Shea Weber for any amount of time is a huge blow to the team. Weber hasn't played since last Tuesday in a game against the New Jersey Devils where he suffered some kind of lower-body injury. The defenseman has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he's out for at least a week and the Habs have already announced he won't be with the team on their road trip this week. According to TSN Insider Bob McKenzie, Weber may be out much longer
"I'm hearing the prognosis on Shea Weber's LBI is not at all encouraging in terms of him playing any time soon," McKenzie posted on Twitter. "That said, other than saying he won't be on the BOS-PIT road trip and won't play any games this week, information from MTL on Weber's health has been on lockdown."
"Often times, when a player is sidelined for a week or more without a definitive prognosis/announcement from the club, it's because the doctors/club/player are weighing the options (rehab vs. surgery etc) or getting additional medical opinions on what can be complicated injuries," McKenzie continued. "Weber had separate foot and knee surgeries prior to last season. Until this recent injury absence, Weber had been healthy this season and playing at a high level, with 13 goals and 34 points in 55 games, averaging a team high of more than 24 minutes TOI."
This doesn't sound like good news for Weber or the Canadiens at all. Added to that is the fact that centre Phillip Danault left Monday night's game against Arizona after taking a puck to the face and did not return. So far, there's been no update on whether he might miss more time. Danault plays on the Canadiens top line, usually with Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar. Besides his 40 points this season, Danault usually plays against opponent's top lines in a shutdown role.
If both Weber and Danault are out for any length of time, Montreal's hopes to make the playoffs have taken a big hit. The team is currently eight points back of the last wild card spot in the East with 24 games left.
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