Juraj Slafkovsky Injury Update: Canadiens Star Takes Therapy Day After Head Collision | NHL

Juraj Slafkovsky missed Friday’s practice, but Martin St-Louis expects to have him available against Buffalo on Saturday at the Bell Centre. That was the reassuring part of Montreal’s afternoon update after the winger took contact to the head in Wednesday’s loss at Washington. The Canadiens called his absence a therapy day. With Slafkovsky having returned to finish that game, Friday’s news does not amount to another player being ruled out of an already depleted lineup. Oliver Kapanen took his place alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield for practice.

Slafkovsky Returned After Second-Period Collision

The collision came in the second period of Montreal’s 5–4 defeat. Ivan Miroshnichenko’s initial hit knocked Slafkovsky off balance, leaving him low to the ice when he collided with Tom Wilson.

Slafkovsky went to the dressing room for evaluation before returning to the bench and taking another shift before the period ended, according to Agence QMI’s report.He ultimately logged 19:40 and put four shots on goal. His return allowed Montreal to finish the night with its first-line winger, though the team has not announced that Friday’s treatment was specifically related to the collision.

St-Louis’ availability update, reported by The Hockey News, came after practice. It provided a more encouraging picture than Slafkovsky’s empty spot on the ice had suggested earlier in the day.
 

Kapanen Practices As Canadiens Manage Other Absences

Kapanen’s participation was useful news in its own right. He had been skating separately while dealing with a lower-body issue and remained listed as day to day. Taking Slafkovsky’s practice spot did not settle whether Kapanen would return to the lineup against the Sabres.

Elsewhere, Florian Xhekaj is expected to miss two weeks with a lower-body injury. Mike Matheson remains day to day, while Ivan Demidov and Samuel Montembeault were also absent from Friday’s skate.Montreal had Thursday off before returning to work at the CN Sports Complex. The remaining forward combinations stayed as they had been against Washington.There was also discussion of the top line’s even-strength production. St-Louis defended its work without the puck and said offensive confidence could grow from better power-play execution.

“They know they want more offensively, but they’re not taking any shortcuts to get it,” he said, according to The Hockey News.

Slafkovsky had contributed two assists in Tuesday’s shootout victory over Buffalo before Montreal’s trip to Washington. The Sabres return to the Bell Centre on Saturday for a 7 p.m. ET start, with St-Louis having indicated that Slafkovsky will be available.