Kirby Dach, significant loss for the Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach will be out of action for four to six weeks due to a foot fracture, the team reported on Sunday. This injury represents a new setback for the Canadiens, who are looking to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in consecutive seasons since the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Last Friday, the team announced that defenseman Kaiden Guhle will be out for up to 10 weeks after undergoing surgery for a groin injury. For his part, forward Alex Newhook will miss the next four months due to a fractured ankle. These injuries add to the absence of Patrik Laine, who will be out for three to four months after core muscle surgery. Dach, with five goals and seven points in 15 games, recorded a shot on goal and played 14:43 minutes in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. This new injury represents another pause in the career of the 24-year-old player, who was the third overall pick in the 2019 draft. In the 2023-24 season, Dach was only able to play two games due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament. A year earlier, he missed 25 games due to another knee injury.As of Sunday, the Canadiens (10-6-2) were in second place in the Atlantic Division, just two points behind the Bruins. They have lost their last three games and have been outscored 15-3, falling in five of their last six games.
