Montreal, QC (SportsNetwork.com) - Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty will miss the final two games of the regular season but could return to the lineup as early as next week for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, coach Michel Therrien said Wednesday.
Pacioretty exited Sunday's 4-1 win over Florida when he hit the back of his head against the boards after being checked by Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, who received a two-minute interference minor on the play. The incident took place in the first period, and Pacioretty didn't return to action.
Therrien confirmed that Pacioretty met with team doctors on Wednesday morning. He will be re-evaluated next week.
Pacioretty's 37 goals and 67 points lead the Canadiens, who are two points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the Atlantic Division.
He will miss games against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
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