It hasn’t been an easy season for Max Pacioretty. Between bad luck and a struggling team, the Canadiens captain has faced a mountain of adversity. Now, less than a week after pouring his heart out about how much he enjoys playing for this organization, he has been struck down by a lower body injury.
Mise à jour médicale : Max Pacioretty a subi une blessure à un genou le 2 mars à Brooklyn. Sa période de guérison est évaluée à 4-6 semaines / Medical update: Max Pacioretty suffered a knee injury on March 2 in Brooklyn. His recovery period is expected to be 4-6 weeks.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 5, 2018
Pacioretty appears to have suffered his injury against the Islanders when he got tied up with Chris Wagner, after which he looked to be in noticeable discomfort on the Montreal bench. The Canadiens’ captain missed his next shift and was helped across the ice to the Canadiens dressing room at the next stoppage of play.
The injury bug also struck rookie defenceman Victor Mete in Brooklyn, as he suffered an injury to his hand and missed the rest of the game against the Islanders. He did not travel to Boston with the team, instead returning to Montreal to have his finger examined.
Mise à jour médicale: Victor Mete a subi une fracture à un doigt le 2 mars à Brooklyn. Sa période de guérison est évaluée à 6 semaines.
Medical update: Victor Mete suffered a fracture to a finger on March 2 in Brooklyn. His recovery period is expected to be 6 weeks.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 5, 2018
This comes as a huge blow to the Canadiens, as Mete and Jeff Petry had formed a highly cohesive top-pairing for Claude Julien in recent games. Based off practice lines, Mete’s absence leaves Noah Juulsen and Karl Alzner as the Canadiens top pairing, though things could always change before the Habs play the Devils this week.
It should be noted that a six week recovery likely encompasses the remainder of the 2017-18 regular season, so there shouldn’t be any rush to get either player back. The Canadiens are all but out of the playoff picture and should focus on the long-term health of both players going forward.
