Noah Juulsen is out indefinitely because he suffered a facial fracture in the game Monday night against the Washington Capitals.
The young defender took two pucks to the face during the game, Juulsen played only 3:12. He left the game after the second puck hit him. He went to the hospital for further tests.
RIP Noah Juulsen’s face pic.twitter.com/oE9x1QofFE
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) November 20, 2018
The news was first reported by Renaud Lavoie and it was followed by Eric Engels with more information and since confirmed by the team.
Noah Juulsen won’t travel with the team today. Update from the @CanadiensMTL should come at some point today.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) November 20, 2018
Noah Juulsen our infefintely with a facial fracture
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) November 20, 2018
Juulsen has played 17 of Montreal’s 21 games this season. He had one goal and two assists in those games. The expected time to recover for a facial fracture is several weeks, but players can return earlier depending on the type of fracture and with the help of a face shield or cage.
He is the second Canadien to suffer facial fractures as Nicolas Deslauriers had the same injury in the pre-season. He has been playing with a full cage.
It is unlikely that the Canadiens – with seven remaining healthy defencemen – will call up a defender to replace Juulsen. However with the open roster spot, they may recall a forward from the Laval Rocket.
