Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Out with Upper Body Injury

Carrier logged 19:05 minutes of ice time in the Canadiens most recent game against the Hurricanes. However, a nagging injury is now going to keep him out for the foreseeable future as he is now sidelined for the next few weeks. In 73 games this season, Carrier has scored seven goals and 22 points. He was acquired by the Canadiens last season in a trade that sent defenceman Justin Barron to Nashville.

In 124 games since joining the Canadiens, Carrier has scored nine goals and 40 points in 124 games. He also scored a goal and added an assist in five playoff games last season.

Carrier was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round, 115th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Life Without Carrier

With Carrier out, the Canadiens have some options. Arber Xhekaj would presumably return to play defence after playing as a forward in the Canadiens game against the Hurricanes. This, of course, as long as Josh Anderson is able to play after missing Sunday’s game because he was sick. If not, they could play Xhekaj as a forward again and play Engstrom on the right side in place of Carrier.

Engstrom has played 11 games with the Canadiens this season. He has yet to register a point and has accumulated six penalty minutes. With the Laval Rocket, Engstrom has 10 goals and 34 points in 45 games. He was drafted by the Canadiens in the third round, 92nd overall, in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

The Canadiens will be on the road to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.