Canadiens defenceman Guhle out indefinitely with lacerated quad muscle

The surging Montreal Canadiens have suffered a setback.

Defenceman Kaiden Guhle will be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a lacerated quadriceps muscle during a Tuesday game against the Winnipeg Jets, the team announced.

Guhle exited Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets when he crashed awkwardly into the boards in the third period. He held his right knee in noticeable pain as he rushed to Montreal's locker room.

The Canadiens recalled defenceman Jayden Struble from the American Hockey League earlier Wednesday.

Montreal, which sits just two points behind Tampa Bay for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, next plays Thursday at home against the Minnesota Wild.

Guhle has four goals and 10 assists in 44 games this season. The 23-year-old from Edmonton is also a key penalty-killer and shutdown defenceman for the Canadiens, averaging 21 minutes 14 seconds of ice time.

The defensive workhorse has a long list of injuries only three seasons into his NHL career.

He played 44 games during his rookie season in 2022-23, missing time due to knee, upper-body and ankle injuries. Last season, he missed time with multiple upper-body ailments.

Struble, also 23, has two goals and three assists in 26 games with the Canadiens this season.

The Canadiens sent Struble to affiliate Laval for a conditioning stint last week because he was a regular healthy scratch.

--with files from The Canadian Press

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