In the aftermath of Montreal's 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, the Canadiens provided some better news on Wednesday on the injury front.
Head coach Jacques Martin, already without six regulars due to long-term injuries, told reporters that both leading scorer Tomas Plekanec and forward Jeff Halpern are day-to-day with lower body injuries.
Both players suffered the injuries during Tuesday's game and could be dressed for the next game against Tampa Bay depending on the results of further tests on Thursday.
"Both Tomas Plekanec and Jeff Halpern's conditions will be evaluated tomorrow," said Martin.
As a precaution, the club recalled forwards Nigel Dawes and Aaron Palushaj from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs.
The injuries could cost the Canadiens a chance to catch the Boston Bruins for the top record in the Northeast Division. The Habs currently sit four points behind the rival Bruins with 12 games left to play.
On the blueline, the Habs have already lost Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges to major reconstructive knee surgeries, Jaroslav Spacek to arthroscopic knee surgery and Brent Sopel to an injured left hand.
Up front, the team is without Max Pacioretty due to a concussion and neck fracture, as well as Mathieu Darche - who has a groin injury.
