Canadiens’ Dach out indefinitely, Xhekaj to have season-ending surgery

The Montreal Canadiens’ upcoming road trip just got more difficult.

On Saturday, Montreal announced that both Kirby Dach and Joel Armia would not travel to California as the team gets set to begin its four-game road trip.

Armia left Tuesday’s contest against the New Jersey Devils early in the first period and did not return.

Dach has been out of the lineup since Feb. 16 with what was originally determined to be a non-COVID-related illness. Further testing revealed that his illness-like symptoms were related to a lower-body injury and he will now be out indefinitely.

The Canadiens also announced Saturday that defenceman Arber Xhekaj, who has been out since Feb. 12 with an upper-body injury, will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder next week.

Thankfully, the Canadiens did get some good injury news on Saturday, as it appears defenceman Joel Edmundson is nearing a return. The team announced he would travel with the team and is expected to be at practice Monday.

Edmundson last played Jan. 26 against the Detroit Red Wings. He has one goal and six points in 39 games for the Canadiens this season.

Montreal begins its four-game trip Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.

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