Montreal Canadiens Forward Out with Upper Body Injury

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that forward Josh Anderson will be out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Anderson played the full duration of Tuesday night’s 3-2 overtime win against the Boston Bruins. However, he missed practice on Wednesday and now will miss at least tonight’s contest against the Detroit Red Wings.

Canadiens Lose Another Forward to Injury

L’attaquant Josh Anderson est blessé au haut du corps et est évalué quotidiennement.

Forward Josh Anderson is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury. pic.twitter.com/Gyvd2TozNX

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 19, 2026

This is the second forward to go down this week, as Kirby Dach was injured early in Sunday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Dach is expected to be out 2-4 weeks with an upper-body injury. Now, things go from bad to worse as they lose yet another forward to injury.

Anderson has been playing fairly well for the Canadiens this season. In 61 games, Anderson has scored 13 goals and 22 points while playing a fourth-line role for the Canadiens. He has also been a key part of the penalty killing group, so his loss will certainly be felt.

Anderson is in his sixth season with the Canadiens, having appeared in 410 games and scored 94 goals and 63 assists.

Who Draws in with Josh Anderson Out?

With the loss of Anderson, expect Joe Veleno to draw in for the Canadiens. Veleno has played 49 games with the Canadiens this season, scoring two goals and two assists. He has the opportunity to get back in the lineup tonight against the team that drafted him in the first round back in 2018.

There are some questions about the potential of Patrik Laine returning to the lineup in Anderson’s place. However, Laine has yet to be medically cleared to play and is still on the injured reserve. Laine has been practicing for several weeks with the team, so the potential is there for the Canadiens to activate him and insert him into the lineup tonight.

The Canadiens currently sit just two points up on the Red Wings as they enter this divisional clash, both looking to secure two points in their playoff push.

Main Photo: David Kirouac-Imagn Images