The Montreal Canadiens announced on Saturday that defenseman Kaiden Guhle is day-to-day with an upper-body ailment. Arber Xhekaj is also out with an upper-body injury and will miss Saturday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the team will not know how long he will be out of the lineup until additional evaluation.
Meanwhile, the Habs have brought up defenseman Justin Barrom from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Laval Rocket, as an emergency recall.
Defensemen Kaiden Guhle (upper body, day-to-day) and Arber Xhekaj (upper body, further update to come pending evaluation) will not be available to play tonight. Defenseman Justin Barron was recalled from the Laval Rocket (emergency recall).#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/MZjrbgau4k
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 6, 2024
Guhle was injured during Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Early in the game, Nikita Kucherov whacked the 22-year-old hard behind the Canadiens’ net. Guhle remained on the ice for a few minutes before skating off under his own power.
Xhekaj got involved in another physical altercation during the same game. In the third period, after Lightning captain Steven Stamkos collided with teammate Brandon Hagel, Tampa’s Mikey Eyssimont suspected Xhekaj, who was nearby, was involved and pursued him.
The two had a brief skirmish, but nothing led to full-blown fisticuffs.
Guhle has already missed time due to injury this season. In October, another upper-body ailment forced him to miss four games. In 70 games, the Edmonton native has six goals and sixteen assists.
Xhekaj was also out of the lineup for an extended period. After suffering an upper-body injury in November, he was placed on injured reserve. After being loaned to Laval in early December, the Canadiens recalled him in late January. In 44 games, the 23-year-old has three goals and seven assists.
Barron has had ups and downs with the Canadiens and Rockets this season. He was last sent to the AHL when Xhekaj returned to Montreal on January 22. In 41 NHL games this season, the Halifax native has six goals and twelve points.
The Canadiens (29-34-12) are at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, eight points clear of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
