The Montreal Canadiens will be without veteran defenceman David Savard as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Hockey Night in Canada.
Savard, 34, was ruled out by the team shortly before puck drop with an upper-body injury and will be replaced by Jayden Struble in Montreal's lineup.
The six-foot-one defenceman participated in morning skate and spoke to reporters earlier Saturday, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
In 17 games this season, Savard has four assists and a minus-4 rating while averaging over 18 minutes of ice time per game. He signed with the Canadiens as a free agent in 2021 and has played in 201 games over four seasons in Montreal.
Struble, meanwhile, has suited up in 12 games for the Canadiens this season, picking up three assists and a minus-4 rating.
A second-round pick of Montreal in 2019, the 23-year-old Struble made his NHL debut with the club last year, skating in 56 games.
You can watch as Montreal, loser of seven of its last eight, looks to get on track against the Blue Jackets on Sportsnet East and Sportsnet+.
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