Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry was injured in the second period in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Winnipeg Jets. He played regular shifts in the second period but didn’t come out for the third. The team announced that he has an upper-body injury.
Jeff Petry ne reviendra pas au jeu ce soir (blessé au haut du corps).
Jeff Petry will not return to tonight's game (upper-body injury).
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 7, 2021
Jeff Petry Injured, Leaves Game 3
In the second period, Petry had the puck along the boards with Paul Stastny checking him. Stastny pushed Petry into the boards, and Petry grabbed the glass to help him maintain balance. He got his fingers caught in the photographer hole in the glass and was in pain afterwards.
Jeff Petry has been an important defenceman for the Canadiens this season. He is third on the team in ice-time in the playoffs at 24:44 and first in the regular season at 22:34. He finished second on the team in points with 12 goals, 30 assists for 42 points. His 12 goals were the third-most by NHL defencemen this season and his 42 points were eighth. It is the second-highest total of his career, he scored 46 points two years ago. His 56.1 Corsi For percentage at even-strength is sixth-best among regular players on the Canadiens this season. He has the eighth-best total in the playoffs.
Montreal acquired Petry from the Edmonton Oilers in 2015 when they traded a second-round pick (Jonas Siegenthaler) and a fourth-round pick (Caleb Jones) in the 2015 draft for him. The 33-year-old Petry was drafted 45th overall by the Oilers in 2006. After spending time with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL, Michigan State University and two years in the AHL, Petry became a regular defenceman during the 2010-11 season. In 735 games played, Petry has 81 goals, 214 assists for 295 points.
What This Means for the Canadiens
Petry being able to play in the second period after the injury happened is good news for the Canadiens. It might mean it’s a playable injury. By the third period of the game, Montreal was up 3-1 in the game, leading 2-0 in the series. Every minute is crucial in the playoffs, but that third is one of the least crucial periods any team will have in the postseason. The Canadiens could have been giving Petry time to rest. That is the best-case scenario for the team. They play again tomorrow night with a chance to sweep Winnipeg.
Petry missing time will be a huge loss for Montreal. They have been playing their top four defencemen for almost every minute of every game, so having one of them missing is a massive hit. Not to mention that Petry is arguably their best defenceman.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
