Newhook (ankle) is expected to play Saturday afternoon against Dallas, Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette reports. The game is scheduled for 1:00 pm ET.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook, who hasn't played since Nov. 30, worked with the first power-play unit during Friday's practice. Prior to the injury, he occupied a top-six role that included stints on the wing alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. It looks like Juraj Slafkovsky has achieved a level of comfort on the top line, so Newhook could return to the second line. The 23-year-old Newhook got off to a promising start with Montreal, posting 13 points over the first 23 games. He also had six points over seven outings before getting injured.

Newhook (ankle) won't play against Washington on Tuesday but is traveling with the team, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook's presence on the trip should be taken as a step in the right direction. Prior to his 26-game absence, the 23-year-old center was putting together a decent 2023-24 campaign with seven goals and six assists in 23 outings, including three power-play points.

General manager Kent Hughes said Friday that Newhook (ankle) is getting close to a return, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook suffered a high-ankle sprain Nov. 30 and has missed the last 26 games. Newhook was expected to miss 10-12 weeks, which would see him back in action by Feb. 10 against Dallas at the earliest. Newhook should serve as the second-line center upon his return, as the Canadiens dealt Sean Monahan to the Jets on Friday. Newhook has seven goals and 13 points in 23 contests this season.

Newhook is expected to miss the next 10-12 weeks with a high-ankle sprain, per Arpon Basu of The Athletic. He was moved to injured reserve Saturday, per CapFriendly.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook, who has been seeing time in first line and action on the second-unit power-play unit, is a big loss for the Canadiens. He has produced seven goals and 13 points in 23 games during his first season in Montreal after being acquired from Colorado in June. Per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, Sean Monahan and Cole Caufield are slated to rejoin Nick Suzuki on Montreal's top line.

Newhook (lower body) was unable to finish Thursday's game versus the Panthers, Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook left the game on one leg after sustaining the injury. The 22-year-old will be evaluated further Friday, leaving his status in doubt for Saturday's game against the Red Wings. Michael Pezzetta would likely join the lineup if Newhook can't play.

Newhook scored a goal on two shots and had two hits over 14:52 of ice time in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook helped close out Montreal's five-game road trip with a win when he took advantage of a favorable deflection off a Kaiden Guhle shot to beat Elvis Merzlikins glove side in the first period. It was the third goal on the trip for Newhook, who is enjoying life on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Brendan Gallagher. A 2019 first-round draft pick of the Avalanche, Newhook is getting more ice time for his new club -- three more minutes per game than he averaged in Colorado -- and he's headed for his most productive season. Newhook has seven goals, 13 points and 31 shots (22.6 shooting percentage) while averaging 16:38 of ice time through 22 games.

Newhook scored two goals on four shots in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook tallied the opening goal at 5:59 of the first period and then added the game-winner with 3:20 left in regulation. The 22-year-old has found success with three goals and two helpers over his last three contests. For the season, he has five tallies, 12 points, 27 shots on net, 11 hits and a minus-5 rating through 19 appearances. He should be a solid contributor as long as he maintains a top-six role.

Newhook had an assist and three shots on goal over 17:05 of ice time in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook regained control of the puck behind the net which led to Nick Suzuki feeding Juraj Slafkovsky for Montreal's first strike. It was the third point in the last two games for Newhook, who was recently moved to Suzuki's top line. Suzuki was reunited with Cole Caufield -- Montreal's best offensive attackers -- which could bode well for Newhook's production if that threesome remains together.

Newhook had a goal and an assist Thursday in a 6-5 loss to the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

He put Montreal up 1-0 with a wrist shot from the right circle at 6:43 of the first period. Newhook came to Montreal with much promise and high hopes, but he has struggled to find his stride. The goal was his first in 13 games, and he has just four goals and five assists in 17 games. Newhook may develop into a top-six player, but right now, he's unlikely to score more than 40-45 points.

Newhook had an assist over 17:59 of ice time in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win against the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Newhook found himself on the top line after Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis reconfigured his top six. The move worked immediately, as 10 different Canadiens had shots on net in the first period, including Mike Matheson's goal off a feed from Newhook. It was the first time in seven games the Canadiens scored first. Perhaps the new line assignment will unlock Newhook, who had three goals over the first three games but none over his 10 subsequent contests.