Canadiens Lose Matheson for Avalanche Game, Kreider Out Six to Eight Weeks

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Saturday (November 14) that veteran forward Chris Kreider will miss six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury, while defenceman Mike Matheson is also sidelined with a lower-body injury for Saturday night's home game against the Colorado Avalanche. The injury list keeps growing. (File photo: Kreider in a Canadiens jersey. Image: Tricolore.)

Kreider hurt in collision, out until late December

Kreider, 35, was injured in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins after a collision with Bruins forward Michael Eyssimont, leaving the game in the third period. The team confirmed on Saturday that he will be out six to eight weeks, meaning the earliest return is late December. Florian Xhekaj will take his place in the lineup.

Matheson re-injured right after returning

Matheson, 32, is dealing with the same kind of injury: he first hurt his lower body on October 27, missed six games over more than two weeks, and only returned to the lineup on Thursday against Boston before being hurt again. He will miss Saturday's game against the Avalanche, with Adam Engstrom taking his spot.

Avalanche just as short-handed

Colorado is hardly better off: star centre Nathan MacKinnon and defenceman Cale Makar were both hurt in Thursday's game against Ottawa, with MacKinnon out for at least a month and Makar for about two weeks. The teams meet at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Bell Centre; the Canadiens are 12-3-4 and the Avalanche 11-6-3, with Jakub Dobeš starting in goal for Montreal. Ivan Demidov (fractured ankle) and goaltender Samuel Montembeault also remain out.