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Renaud Lavoie reveals when Phillip Danault is expected to play first game back with Canadiens
The plan circulating is simple and precise: no game Saturday against the Penguins, and a hoped-for appearance Tuesday against the Bruins.
For Sunday, the door remains slightly open, but nothing is guaranteed.
This return comes at the right time, because Montreal has just brought back a familiar face.
The Montreal Canadiens acquired Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2nd-round pick in 2026, a pick obtained via Columbus.
Phillip Danault should miss Saturday's game, but he is expected to be there Tuesday in Boston
"I'm told Phillip Danault won't be able to play Saturday. Don't know yet for Sunday's game but for sure he'll be in Canadiens lineup on Tuesday in Boston."
- Renaud Lavoie
- Renaud Lavoie
Meanwhile, both teams on the schedule arrive with solid results.
The Montreal Canadiens sit at 18-12-4, while the Boston Bruins are at 20-15-0. Boston also has a 12-6-0 record at home, and Montreal is 9-3-3 on the road.
The schedule is as tight as downtown Décarie traffic. Montreal hosts Pittsburgh Tonight, plays in Pittsburgh Sunday, then heads to Boston Tuesday.
If Danault is indeed ready Tuesday, he will jump straight into an intense stretch.
In 30 games this season, Phillip Danault has 0 goals, 5 assists for a total of 5 points in 30 games with the Los Angeles Kings, with a +3 rating. In his NHL career, he has totaled 741 games and 399 points.
Contract-wise, we are talking about a clear impact on the salary cap. Danault has a 5.5 M$ cap hit, and his contract runs until the end of 2026-27.
Story to follow!