Canadiens Forward Kirby Dach Out with Upper-Body Injury; Lineup Adjustments Loom

Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach sustained an upper-body injury during Sunday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, leaving the team to consider options for his replacement in the lineup. The injury occurred three minutes into the first period after a high hit from Ducks winger Jeffrey Viel .

Injury Details and Immediate Aftermath

Viel caught Dach with a hit while the Canadiens forward was attempting to control the puck. Dach fell to the ice and left the game, heading to the dressing room for further evaluation. Notably, no penalty was called on the play . Following the hit, Canadiens players Arber Xhekaj and Josh Anderson confronted Viel, but he declined to engage in a fight .

Potential Lineup Replacements

With Dach’s status uncertain, the Canadiens coaching staff is evaluating options to fill the void on the third line. Three players are currently under consideration:

Zachary Bolduc

Zachary Bolduc is a logical choice, having been a frequent lineup addition and subtraction since the team resumed play after the Olympic break. Bolduc had four points in five games around the Olympic break but has been held scoreless in his last three appearances. Despite a season that hasn’t met expectations – 26 points in 64 games compared to 36 points in 72 games with the Blues last season – Bolduc’s physicality (second on the team with 138 hits) could be valuable .

Joe Veleno

Joe Veleno has experience in the lineup this season, appearing in 49 games with two goals and two assists. However, he hasn’t played since February 4th and has been a healthy scratch for most games since. Veleno offers a physical presence (119 hits in 49 games) and a solid faceoff win percentage (51.4%). However, Bolduc is considered a more significant offensive threat, potentially making him the preferred option.

Patrik Laine

The possibility of activating Patrik Laine from injured reserve has also been raised. Laine has only played in five games this season due to an abdominal injury but has been nearing a return for weeks. His offensive capabilities – 20 goals in 56 games last season with a shooting percentage over 17% – could bolster the Canadiens’ offense. Concerns about his defensive play (a subpar xG% in previous seasons) remain, but a motivated Laine could be a difference-maker as the team approaches the playoffs.

Looking Ahead

The severity of Dach’s injury remains unknown, with updates expected ahead of the Canadiens’ next game against the Boston Bruins. The coaching staff will need to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of Bolduc, Veleno, and Laine to determine the best course of action for the third line.