The Montreal Canadiens have confirmed that they will be without forward Alex Galchenyuk for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Galchenyuk was injured in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks when he was hit by Marian Hossa and Andrew Shaw on a shift in the first period. The Canadiens aren’t saying what exactly is hurt, as is customary for NHL teams late in the season and in the playoffs, but are calling the injury a “lower-body injury.” It is believed to be a right leg injury. Galchenyuk missed most of the 2011-12 season in the OHL with an injury to his left knee.
Galchenyuk had recently been playing left wing on the Canadiens second line with Tomas Plekanec at centre, and Brendan Gallagher at right wing. Possible replacements on that line include Rene Bourque, Brendan Prust, and Lars Eller. Prust is recovering from his own upper-body injury, and Eller is currently out with the flu, but both are expected to be healthy for the playoffs.
The 20-year-old was the Habs first round pick, third overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft. He has 22 goals and 58 points in 113 career games with the Canadiens. Galchenyuk missed time earlier this season with a broken hand.
The Habs will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs, though home-ice advantage for the series has yet to be determined. The Lightning could be facing their own injury issues as the status of goalie Ben Bishop is still up in the air, and he will be re-evaluated by team doctors next week.
The Canadiens currently have 98 points on the season through 81 games. The Lightning trail the Canadiens by just one point, and have a game in hand. If the two teams are tied to finish the year, the Canadiens would get home ice advantage by virtue of having more Regulation or Overtime Wins.
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