The Montreal Canadiens faced a significant setback last night when Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson, two leading defensemen, were injured in their game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Back at the Bell Center, Martin St-Louis and his team experienced their third defeat of the season, losing 4-1 to the Kings. Unfortunately for Canadiens supporters, the loss extended beyond just a two-point setback, as both Guhle and Matheson went down with injuries.
Today, the team returned to practice and provided an update on their condition. The Canadiens revealed that Matheson is undergoing therapy, while Guhle has a lower-body injury and will be reassessed on a day-to-day basis. Guhle has significantly improved since the start of the season and has become the most dependable player on the Canadiens’ defense. While much attention is on Lane Hutson for his exceptional talent, Guhle’s substantial contributions to the team cannot be overlooked. Matheson, on the other hand, continues to bring the same energy as last season, where he recorded 62 points, including 11 goals, in all 82 games.
To address the injuries, the team has called up young defenseman Logan Mailloux from the Laval Rocket in the AHL. At 21 years old, Mailloux is currently leading the Rocket in scoring, with two goals and two assists in his first two games. After a less-than-stellar training camp with the Canadiens, he took on a key role with the Rocket, especially with fellow prospect David Reinbacher sidelined for five to six months. While the Canadiens’ success is paramount and Mailloux’s arrival is needed, it also places the Rocket in a difficult position.
Unless Matheson and Guhle are set to miss games, Mailloux’s appearance in the lineup would be unexpected, particularly with Jayden Struble available to play. However, it’s beneficial for the team to have extra depth for emergencies.
The Canadiens are scheduled to face off against the New York Islanders tomorrow, and updates on the injuries and Mailloux’s status should be available before the game.
