Canadiens' Ben Chiarot out 6-8 weeks with fractured hand
The Montreal Canadiens may be without defenseman Ben Chiarot for the remainder of the regular season.
Per the official NHL website, Chiarot is set to miss six-to-eight weeks of action after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured hand he suffered last Wednesday during a fight with Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller.
An NHL rule prohibits players from removing helmets ahead of a fight.
Chiarot recorded one goal and four assists across 25 games before this setback. He's third on the team with an average of 21:22 ice time per game.
"He's a big part of this team, on and off the ice," Canadiens forward Corey Perry told reporters. "But this team is deep and that's why we have guys that have put in the work and are staying fresh and staying ready and can step in. It's unfortunate what happened, but we'll take care of what we have to do here and we'll be looking for him to come back."
Montreal sits fourth in the North Division on 31 points, two ahead of the Calgary Flames. The top four clubs from each division qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Canadiens play at the Winnipeg Jets (second in the North on 36 points) on Monday night and end the regular season on May 8.
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