Canadiens’ Chris Kreider out 6-8 weeks with lower-body injury

The Montreal Canadiens announced Saturday that forward Chris Kreider will be out for approximately six-to-eight weeks with a lower-body injury.

The 35-year-old winger suffered the injury after Boston Bruins’ forward Michael Eyssimont slid into him during their game Thursday. Kreider went straight to the dressing room and did not return.

In 19 games, Kreider has three goals and six assists for nine points. He signed a one-year, $2.15-million deal with Montreal in September after the Anaheim Ducks terminated his contract.

In 2025-26, Kreider had 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points in 75 games with the Ducks. He finished second on the team with eight power-play goals and reached the 20-goal mark for the eighth straight season.

Through 15 NHL seasons, Kreider, a native of Boxford, Mass., has 351 goals and 290 assists for 641 points in 977 career regular-season games with the Canadiens, Ducks and New York Rangers.

His best season came in 2021-22, when as a member of the Rangers, he scored 52 goals and finished with 77 points, both career highs. His 52 goals were third in the NHL that season.

He was selected by New York with the No. 19 pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Ducks after the 2024-25 season, with New York getting forward prospect Carey Terrance in return.

The Canadiens are 12-3-4 with 28 points through their first 19 games of the 2026-27 regular season. Montreal will host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.