RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have activated centre Jordan Staal from injured reserve.

The Hurricanes announced the move Monday and say they expect him to play later that night against Montreal.

Staal missed the first 35 games after breaking a bone in his right leg during a preseason game at Buffalo on Sept. 23.

Without him, the last-place Hurricanes went 10-21-4.

He has career stats of 145 goals and 174 assists and is in his third season with Carolina, which acquired him from Pittsburgh in 2012.