Canadiens survive two injury scares vs Avalanche, showing why depth is the ultimate safety net
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Kaiden Guhle and Phillip Danault gave Montreal a massive injury scare that highlights just how thin the line is between success and disaster for this roster.
The physical battle against the Colorado Avalanche turned into a survival test for several key members of the lineup.
Kaiden Guhle was at the very center of the most terrifying sequence of the entire evening.
The young defenseman took a devastating blow to the head from Josh Manson that left the entire arena in a stunned silence. He looked visibly shaken as he headed for the tunnel, slamming his helmet in a moment of pure frustration and pain.
The sight of a cornerstone player leaving the ice with difficulty is enough to make any fan lose sleep.
He is the heavy mountain on the blue line that this team simply cannot afford to lose for any extended period.
Montreal remains on high alert following these dangerous physical encounters
The silver lining appeared when number 21 managed to return to the bench and actually finish the game.
However, we know the reality of head contact often involves symptoms that don't reveal their true face until the next morning. The anxiety didn't stop there as veteran center Phillip Danault also gave the medical staff a busy night at the bench.
Matt Drake reported on the sequence where the staff was working on the forward while play continued.
Seeing your most reliable defensive forward needing immediate attention is a gut-punch for a team fighting for every inch of ice.
Much like Guhle, Danault showed his warrior spirit by staying in the fight and completing the contest despite the obvious discomfort.
Adrenaline is a hell of a drug in the heat of an NHL battle.
Adrenaline is a hell of a drug in the heat of an NHL battle.
The real test comes when the swelling sets in and the body finally cools down after the flight home.
The organization has yet to confirm if these two will need maintenance days or if they dodged a massive bullet.
We will all be glued to the morning skate reports to see who actually steps onto the ice.
Montreal survived the night, but the bruises on this roster will tell the real story of the season.
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