:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69006199/1231820612.0.jpg)
Montreal Canadiens interim head coach Dominique Ducharme announced after the team’s morning skate that forward Tyler Toffoli is expected to be out for at least three more games.
Coach Dominique Ducharme says Canadiens leading scorer Tyler Toffoli, who underwent tests for a lower-body injury yesterday, will be out for this three-game series against Edmonton and then it's believed he will be able to come back. Will be evaluated further towards the weekend.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 22, 2021
Toffoli missed the team’s last game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, and is expected to return after the team’s series against the Edmonton Oilers. Artturi Lehkonen played in his place, and will do so again on Monday night.
The lower-body injury occurred late in Friday’s overtime loss to the Canucks. Toffoli has 18 goals and nine assists in 30 games this season. No Canadiens player has more than 12 goals, and he is tied with Jeff Petry for the team’s points lead.
If everything goes to plan, Toffoli will return when the Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, March 28. The Canadiens do not play on Saturday.
Carey Price will start in goal for the Canadiens on Monday, and no lineup changes are expected from Saturday’s game.