Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber will miss the next two games with a lower-body injury and is heading back to Montreal to be examined.
He is not expected to be out long term.
The Canadiens, who have 99 points, can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win over the Florida Panthers Monday night in what will be the first of four games remaining on Montreal’s regular-season schedule.
Weber, who leads Canadiens defencemen in goals (17) and points (42), played over 22 minutes in Montreal’s 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who has a 22-17-1 record with the St. John’s IceCaps of the AHL this season, is scheduled to start in Florida. The 23-year-old recorded a win against the Carolina Hurricanes in his only other NHL start to date, allowing just two goals on 28 shots.
Canadiens goaltender Al Montoya, who missed Montreal’s last two games with a lower-body injury, was back at practice on Monday.
Canadiens coach Claude Julien is expected to provide an update on Weber and Montoya following Canadiens practice.
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