Despite missing a team meeting on Friday, Montreal Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin will play a role in his team’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis told reporters Saturday morning that Drouin will be “dressed” for the game.
Drouin took part in Saturday’s morning skate alongside Anthony Richard and Michael Pezzetta on the Habs’ fourth line.
The 31-year-old was held out of Friday’s practice in Tampa because he had missed a team meeting.
When asked if Kaiden Guhle — who will miss the game due to a lower-body injury — was a factor in including Drouin to the lineup, St. Louis answered: “I would say probably, yes. ”
“We all know Jo, he’s a good guy and you never want that to happen to anyone,” Richard told reporters in French Saturday morning. “We need to turn the page and learn from this. I’m not worried, he’ll be back stronger and he’ll bounce back, for sure.
“I don’t think it’s the first time that this happened in the hockey world and for the rest, for us as players, it’s not a situation that’s in our control.”
Drouin, in the final year of his six-year, $33-million contract with Montreal, has picked up one goal and 25 assists in 46 games this season.
