The Montreal Canadiens expected Alex Newhook to return for the game against the Stars

The Canadiens are expected to freshen up with two afternoon games on Super Bowl weekend.

All indications are that forward Alex Newhook will be back in the Montreal lineup on Saturday when the Habs host the Dallas Stars. The Canadiens then host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Newhook has missed 27 games since suffering a sprained ankle on Nov. 30 against the Florida Panthers.

“I've been working hard to rehabilitate and I'm feeling good,” said the Newfoundland and Labrador native. “Now I hope to be in the lineup. I want to be with my teammates and feel like a member of the team.”

Newhook has four goals and two assists in his previous six games. He had seven goals and six assists in 23 games in his first season with the Canadiens.

“Yes, it's frustrating, but you have to put your emotions aside,” he said. “You understand that injuries happen to everyone. I often saw images of the game in my head when I was injured, especially in the early days. Then I had to focus on rehabilitation, they worked well with me.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on February 9, 2024.