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Hurtin’ Habs: Gallagher (hand surgery) out at least six weeks, Mitchell (lower body) out 7-10 days

Thomas Greiss, Brendan Gallagher,

Thomas Greiss, Brendan Gallagher,

AP

Not a great Tuesday morning in Montreal.

The club has announced that top-line forward Brendan Gallagher will miss at least the next six weeks following surgery on his left hand, and that depth center Torrey Mitchell will miss another 7-10 days with a lower-body ailment suffered against Arizona last week.

Losing Gallagher is a serious blow for Montreal.

The gritty alternate captain has been a major contributor alongside Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec on the team’s No. 1 line, scoring nine goals and 19 points in 22 games.

The 23-year-old has also been extremely durable in terms of staying in the lineup, missing just five games over the first four years of his career.

With Gallagher out, the Habs rushed Devante Smith-Pelly on the top line at Tuesday’s skate.

As for Mitchell, his services as a quality depth forward will be missed. The 31-year-old was enjoying a strong offensive campaign prior to getting hurt -- five goals and 10 points in 20 games -- and is second on the team in faceoff wins.

Mitchell, though, should be back in the lineup in early December, meaning -- barring a reversal of fortune -- he’ll be ready to go when the Habs take on Boston on Jan. 1 in the 2016 Winter Classic.

Gallagher’s participation for the big game is in doubt. A minimum six-week recovery would put him back in action around Jan. 4 -- and that’s assuming the healing from surgery doesn’t take longer than expected.