The Montreal Canadiens have announced that Jonathan Drouin has been placed on injured reserve with an "upper-body injury" after last night's big hit from Washington's Alex Ovechkin. In the meantime, Charles Hudon has been recalled from Laval ahead of tonight's game against the New Jersey Devils.
The hit appeared to be clean, as there was no call on the play and the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced there would be no supplementary discipline for Ovechkin. There's no word at the moment on how long Drouin will be on the sidelines.
The loss is a big one for Montreal as Drouin has seven goals and 15 points in 19 games so far this season. In 11 games with the Laval Rocket, Hudon has a team-leading nine goals, with 11 points.
Ovechkin defended the hit on Drouin saying "it's hockey, it's not a ballet."
"Like I said, it's a hockey play," Ovechkin added. "He didn't see me. It's a clear hit. Nothing to say."
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