The Montreal Canadiens will be without defenseman Jeff Petry on opening night, if not longer.
Canadiens management didn’t say much about the situation, though they did cancel him out for Game 1 against the Sabres in Buffalo.
The injury might cost Petry more time than that. On the bright side, TVA’s Renaud Lavoie reports that it isn’t likely to be a long-term issue (though it might keep him out for a week).
Even if it’s a minor setback as hoped, it’s still an annoying hurdle for Petry, who hoped to start 2016-17 strong after last season was derailed by hernia surgery.
Petry might not be a star, yet his strong possession play can make life easier for Carey Price. That will have to wait.