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Canadiens won’t have Markov for first half of rough road trip

Boston Bruins v Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 12: Andrei Markov #79 of the Montreal Canadiens gets hurt during the NHL game against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre on December 12, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

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On Monday, PHT discussed the tough rough ahead for the Montreal Canadiens. Now the light at the end of the tunnel feels a bit more distant.

The team announced that Andrei Markov won’t be available for their “next’ road trip, meeting away games on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. (He’s dealing with a groin injury that already sidelined him for three contests.)

Montreal’s probably wise - and reasonable - to compartmentalize the road ahead as two separate road trips, and Michel Therrien believes he could be available during the second half:

Ruled out

Wednesday (Dec. 28): at Lightning
Thursday (Dec. 29): at Panthers
Saturday (Dec. 31): at Penguins

Possibly available

Jan. 3: at Predators
Jan. 4: at Stars
Jan. 7: at Maple Leafs

As you can see, there’s a considerable gap between that road game against the Penguins and then the next set of dates starting on Jan. 3.

This doesn’t mean that Markov will be available next week, but this does give him an opportunity to heal up while the team plays a limited - but tough - slate of games.

At the moment, this is how the Habs’ defense looks:

Nathan Beaulieu - Shea Weber
Mark Barberio - Jeff Petry
Joel Hanley - Zach Redmond

Not ideal, especially since Montreal’s dealing with injuries to their forwards, too. They might need some Hart-quality work from Carey Price to wade through the next couple weeks.