The Montreal Canadiens have yet another obstacle to overcome. Defenseman Tom Gilbert is going to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury that requires surgery, the team announced following Monday’s shootout loss to the Nashville Predators.
Gilbert certainly hasn’t been the player of previous seasons, averaging a career-low ice time of 16:52 and putting up just two points in 45 games.
Yet, it’s another roster issue for the Canadiens, who have had key injuries all season. Those injuries have included losing Brendan Gallagher at a key moment in 2015 and, most importantly, losing league MVP Carey Price for the vast majority of the season.
Victor Bartley will take Gilbert’s place in the lineup. Montreal acquired him on Jan. 15 in the three-team trade that saw John Scott head to Montreal as well.