Canadiens Practice Notes: RHP Skates, Primeau Still With Habs

The Montreal Canadiens got some good news at practice, with Rafaël Harvey-Pinard on the ice, but lingering injuries remain.

The Canadiens need all the healthy bodies they can get, so seeing Rafaël Harvey-Pinard practice today, even in a non-contact jersey, is a positive sign.

The 24-year-old has missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury, and his loss has been felt all throughout the Canadiens lineup.

That’s a pretty crazy statement to make about a player that started the year in the minors and has only played 32 games this season; but that’s the kind of impact Harvey-Pinard has had this season.

He joined the Canadiens for their full practice, a sign that he may yet be able to get into some action before the season ends.

RHP ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/YuPBiVEU05

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) April 5, 2023

Goaltending Run

Meanwhile, Cayden Primeau, who allowed five goals in the Montreal Canadiens’ loss to the Detroit Red Wings, was still at practice today.

Unlike his last stint against the Philadelphia Flyers, Canadiens management has kept Primeau up with the big club this time around, rather than immediately reassigning him to the minors.

That’s because Jake Allen is still injured and missing from practice today, meaning Primeau may be needed to either start or back-up Samuel Montembeault for Thursday’s game against the Washington Capitals.

It’s good news for Primeau, who gets a taste of NHL salary and the opportunity for more games to prove his worth to the Montreal Canadiens staff.

Keep An Eye On

Jake Evans and Joel Armia are still playing with a nagging injury at the moment.

The Laval Rocket are off until Friday.

It could be a perfect storm to see another recall from the minors if the need arises, but, thankfully, both Armia and Evans were able to finish Tuesday’s game unscathed.

We’re still awaiting word on the condition of Kirby Dach, who has been out for the last week with an upper-body injury.

The 22-year-old has been sorely missed on the team since his absence, as the Montreal Canadiens’ offence has completely tapered off since his injury.