The start of the 2026–2027 National Hockey League season has quickly brought Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers fans back down to earth—two teams that are among the favorites to win the coveted Stanley Cup. Even the most physically prepared players are never immune to injuries. In both Montreal and Florida, several key absences have complicated the early games and forced coaches to revise their plans sooner than expected.
The Canadiens Without Their Captain
In Montreal, the news on October 22 was particularly hard on fans: Captain Nick Suzuki will be sidelined for two to four weeks due to an upper-body injury. It’s worth noting that after nine games, he was already leading the Canadiens with 12 points—five goals and seven assists. This presents quite a headache for Martin St-Louis, who must do without his best center and, at the same time, try to reshuffle his lines. It appears that Kapanen will get the chance to prove himself on the first line alongside Caufield and Slafkovsky.
The Canadiens will also have to do without goaltender Samuel Montembeault, who has a lower-body injury, as well as Ivan Demidov, who is expected to return in early November. As for Mike Matheson, his status remains uncertain, with his condition being evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
But one man’s misfortune is another’s fortune. These absences will give several young rookies the chance to stand out, such as Owen Beck, who has been called up from the Montreal Rocket farm team and will make his debut on the fourth line as a center.
In Florida, the Panthers Must Also Adapt
For the Panthers, the challenges are just as concerning. Captain Aleksander Barkov, who had already missed the entire previous season due to a serious right knee injury, is once again sidelined, this time with a left knee injury. He is, however, expected to return in December.
Brad Marchand, the Panthers’ “enfant terrible,” is also on the injured list. He’ll be sidelined for another four weeks due to a left leg injury. The icing on the sundae for the Panthers is undoubtedly the injury to goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who will be out for one to two weeks after suffering an upper-body injury during practice. This absence will therefore allow the young, 6-foot-9 (2.06 m) goaltender, Cooper Black, to make his debut with the team.
Every Point Counts
For both teams, these absences will likely be decisive in the race for the playoffs, since every game matters.
The challenge for both teams will therefore be to limit the damage while hoping for the quick return of their star players. The role players will have to seize their opportunity, the coaches will have to get creative, and the goalies will shoulder a great deal of responsibility. It remains to be seen who—the Canadiens’ young players or the Panthers’ veterans—will come out on top!
Translated with Deepl
