Mike Matheson's return to the lineup didn't last long.
The Montreal Canadiens defenceman will be out for two weeks with a lower-body injury, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
Matheson recently returned to the lineup on Oct. 23 after a four-game absence with a lower-body injury. It's unclear if the injuries are related.
The 32-year-old has one goal and four points in eight games this season while averaging 23:45 per game.
Matheson has excelled since joining the Canadiens in 2022-23. He surpassed 30 points every season, including a 62-point campaign in 2023-24.
The 8-3-2 Canadiens have been tested early this season, as numerous key players have missed time with injuries, including captain Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov.
As for another injured Canadien, goaltender Samuel Montembeault is inching towards a return. His status has been changed to day-to-day as he's been sidelined since suffering an injury in practice on Oct. 7.
Montreal returns to action on Saturday Night Hockey on Sportsnet against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
