Anderson sidelined with injury concerns

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that Josh Anderson is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. At the very least, Anderson will not play in Montreal's clash with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

Anderson missed Montreal's practice on Wednesday, listed as a therapy day by the team. He scored on Tuesday in the team's most recent outing, helping the Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3-2. This marked the second consecutive game in which he nabbed a point, having registered an assist on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.

The 31-year-old previously missed six games in January with an upper-body injury. The Burlington, Ontario native has 13 goals and 22 points in 61 games, putting him on pace for 27 points. This would tie his output from a year ago after already surpassing his 20 points from the 2023-24 season.

Drafted 95th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Anderson spent the past six years of his NHL career with the club before joining Montreal for the 2020-21 season. He set a personal best of 47 points in 82 games in 2018-19 before registering just four points in an injury-shortened 2019-20 campaign.

Anderson hasn't come close to reaching the 40-point mark since but did put up eight points in 10 games en route to taking home silver at the 2022 IIHF World Championship with Canada. With Anderson injured, Joe Veleno could draw back into the lineup after having last played on February 4.

The 26-year-old forward has two goals and four points in 49 games with the Habs in his first season with the club. Montreal currently holds third place in the Atlantic Division, sitting six points behind the Buffalo Sabres for first.

The Red Wings, meanwhile, are tied for the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Wings having the potential to tie Montreal with a win tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM ET.