Max Pacioretty to miss Canadiens' final 2 games
Montreal's top scorer hit head on boards
Canadiens top scorer Max Pacioretty has been ruled out of Montreal's final two regular-season games after hitting his head against the boards during Sunday's win over Florida.
Coach Michel Therrien said Wednesday that Pacioretty has an "upper-body injury" and that the forward will be re-evaluated next week.
The NHL playoffs begin next Wednesday, and the Canadiens have already clinched a spot.
Pacioretty exited the game at Florida in the first period after a check by Panthers defenceman Dmitry Kulikov caused him to slide into the end boards behind the Florida net. Kulikov received a two-minute interference penalty.
Pacioretty's 37 goals have him tied for fourth in the NHL this season, and he also leads Montreal with 67 points in 80 games.
Thursday's home game against Detroit will be the first contest Pacioretty has missed since November 2013, ending a streak of 165 consecutive regular-season and playoff appearances.
Heading into Wednesday's action, the Canadiens lead the Atlantic Division by two points over Tampa Bay. The team that emerges will be the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed, behind the New York Rangers, who have clinched the best overall record in the NHL.