Mike Matheson News

With nothing left to decide for the Canadiens in the 2025-26 season apart from who will have home-ice advantage in their opening-round playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team will opt to rest some players in the final game of the regular season. Matheson will have the night off on Tuesday, with Adam Engstrom drawing in as his replacement. The 32-year-old Matheson has had an excellent season on Montreal's blueline, averaging 24:10 time-on-ice and scoring 37 points (7G / 30A) in 78 games.

Matheson played 26:05 time-on-ice in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but will not play on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers due to an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 24:54 time-on-ice and has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 32 games this season.

With the emergence of Lane Hutson and the acquisition of Noah Dobson, Matheson has fallen down Montreal's depth chart since his career-best 62-point season (11G / 51A) in 2023-24, but remains a key component of their blueline and has been rewarded with a five-year, $6 million AAV contract extension. The 31-year-old defenseman doesn't see much powerplay time anymore, but still leads the team, averaging 24:50 time-on-ice this season. He has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 22 games.

Matheson was a surprise scratch for Tuesday's game, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. We should receive an update on his status before Montreal's game in Columbus on Wednesday. Jayden Struble will draw into the lineup in his absence.

Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.

Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.

Matheson hasn't played since Dec. 17th due to a lower-body injury but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday as they take on the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old was enjoying a solid start to the season prior to being shortened by injuries, with one goal, five assists, and 24 SOG through 10 games played.

Matheson returned for one game before it was announced Monday that he would be out indefinetly due to a lower-body injury. It is another tough blow for the 28-year-old who has been dealing with injuries all season, as he has a goal, six points and 24 SOG in his first ten games played with the Canadiens.

Matheson missed the first 17 games of the season but will play Saturday vs. the Flyers. Matheson had 11 goals and 20 assists (31 points) in 74 games with the Penguins last season. He was acquired for Jeff Petry and Ryan Peopling in July.

Matheson underwent an MRI on Wednesday and missed the Canadiens' season opener with a lower-body injury. The MRI must not have revealed positive news, as he hits IR to open up a roster spot for Corey Schueneman to be called up.

Matheson's rehab from a lower-body injury he suffered in the preseason continues. At this point, it seems unlikely that Matheson will be available for the Canadiens' season opener on Wednesday.

Matheson is coming off of a career-year, posting career-bests in goals (11), assists (20) and points (31) in 74 games with the Penguins. Matheson averaged 18:44 TOI/gm in two years with the Penguins butu could take on a larger role in Montreal, where there is not many experienced NHL defensemen.