Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook has announced his return to the lineup for the upcoming matchup against the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old had been sidelined since November 16, when he suffered a right ankle fracture during a game at the Bell Centre.
Newhook’s Injury and Recovery Timeline
Before his injury, Newhook was having a standout season, recording 12 points in just 17 games. He was on track to exceed his previous career-high of 34 points, potentially finishing the season with 57. Unfortunately, a fall against the Dallas Stars resulted in a four-month recovery period.
“The injury was worse than I thought at the time,” Newhook reflected on his challenging recovery phase. “Watching my teammates play while I couldn’t was tough.” Despite missing the last 40 games, the Canadiens have found success, climbing to second in the Atlantic Division behind the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Adjusting Back to Game Play
Newhook’s coach, Martin St-Louis, expects that the forward may need time to readjust to the pace of the game. During recent practices, Newhook displayed promising signs of his previous tenacity and speed, which are crucial for his return.
He will likely play on the fourth line, joining Jake Evans and Alexandre Texier. Additionally, he is expected to contribute to the second power-play unit. St-Louis emphasized, “He has worked hard and returned early from the injury. The question now is, can he perform in a match?”
- Expected Lineup for the Canadiens:
- Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Kirby Dach
- Juraj Slafkovský – Oliver Kapanen – Ivan Demidov
- Brendan Gallagher – Phillip Danault – Josh Anderson
- Alexandre Texier – Jake Evans – Alex Newhook
- Defensive Pairings:
- Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson
- Mike Matheson – Kaiden Guhle
- Arber Xhekaj – Alexandre Carrier
- Goaltenders:
- Samuel Montembeault
- Jakub Dobeš
Team Dynamics and Competition
The Canadiens are currently experiencing a healthy roster, an unusual sight for the team this season. Nick Suzuki noted, “I’ve never seen so many NHL-caliber players healthy at the same time.” With the return of several key players, there has been increased internal competition for roster spots, enhancing the team’s performance.
As Newhook rejoins the team, he recognizes the pressure to contribute. “I had a strong start, and it’s important for me to help the team moving forward,” he stated. His journey back from injury highlights the resilience required in professional sports, particularly amid the demands of an intense season.
