Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson was unable to play in Tuesday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club due to a lower-body injury, as announced by the team just before the game started. Jayden Struble filled in for Matheson in the lineup as Montreal faced Utah for the first time, with Matheson having participated in the morning skate but missing practice the day before.
Matheson, a 30-year-old from Pointe-Claire, Quebec, leads all Canadiens defensemen with 13 points in 20 games, serving as the lone defender on the team’s top power-play unit. Struble, who has one goal and three assists in 15 games this season, stepped up in Matheson’s absence during the game against Utah.
The Canadiens, with a record of 7-11-2, faced off against Utah, who had a record of 8-10-3, in what was expected to be a competitive matchup. Matheson’s absence was surely felt by the team, but Struble’s performance helped fill the gap left by the injured defenseman.
As reported by The Canadian Press on November 26, 2024, Matheson’s injury status, as well as Struble’s performance in his place, was closely followed by hockey fans and analysts alike. Despite the setback, the Canadiens continue to push forward in the season, aiming to secure victories with the help of their talented roster.
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