The Montreal Canadiens second-line centre Kirby Dach is going to miss some time due to injury. The news was first reported early Monday, February 24, by Sportsnet. Dach is currently dealing with a lower-body injury that will see him miss at least one game. Canadiens’ head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed that Dach will miss the Canadiens’ next game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
An update on Kirby Dach's status
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What the Kirby Dach Injury Means For Canadiens
Montreal is currently in a crucial stretch of hockey that will define the rest of their season. Montreal sits seventh in the Atlantic Conference, but they are just five points out of a Wild Card playoff position. With less than two weeks to go until the trade deadline, the next stretch of games will likely determine if Montreal has a realistic chance at the playoffs or if they will be sellers this season. Losing their second-line centre couldn’t come at a worse time for a team playing must-win hockey.
Dach’s Season So Far
Dach has struggled with consistency his entire career. The 6-foot-4, right-shot centre has all the ability to be a difference-maker at the NHL level, but injury and inconsistency have seen him fail to live up to his 3rd overall draft selection in 2019. Despite his early career struggles, Dach has found a role in Montreal. He provides the Canadiens with much-needed secondary scoring behind stars Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. Dach currently sits 9th on the Canadiens in scoring with 10 goals and 12 assists in 57 games. Without Dach in the lineup, the Canadiens will need other players on the roster like Juraj Slafkovsky and Patrick Laine to step up and provide more consistent offence.
Corresponding Roster Moves
With Dach out of the lineup, Montreal has recalled forward Owen Beck from their AHL affiliate. Beck has been productive for the Laval Rocket this season with 32 points in 47 games. However, he is yet to record a point in the NHL in six games this season. Dach is listed. as day-to-day so it’s likely this move is only temporary. Canadiens fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Dach as they make one final push for the playoffs.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
