Staal (undisclosed) is injured and won't play in Monday's Game 3 against the Maple Leafs, per coach Dominique Ducharme, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ducharme didn't reveal the nature or severity of Staal's injury, but the veteran center will need to make a quick recovery with Game 4 on the horizon Tuesday. Cole Caufield will replace Staal in the lineup and make his postseason debut Monday.

Staal managed an assist, two shots on goal and three hits in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Staal sent a pass to Josh Anderson for the opening tally at 12:08 of the contest. The 36-year-old Staal finished the regular season with a career-worst 13 points in 53 contests between the Canadiens and the Sabres. He's likely to play a bottom-six role during the postseason, as Phillip Danault and Nick Suzuki occupy the top two center positions for the Canadiens.

Staal put up an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Staal's helper came on a Cole Caufield goal in the second period. It was just Staal's third point in 19 games since he joined the Canadiens. For the season, the veteran center has 13 points, 79 shots on net and a minus-30 rating in 51 contests between the Canadiens and the Sabres.

Staal scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Staal deflected a puck off his skate and behind Oilers goalie Mike Smith in the second period, but a review determined he did not make a distinct kicking motion. The goal was Staal's second in nine games for the Canadiens. He has five tallies, 12 points, 70 shots on net and a minus-27 rating in 41 contests between Montreal and Buffalo this year.

Staal scored the overtime winner in Monday's 3-2 victory over the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Suiting up for the first time with Montreal, the veteran took a feed from Tyler Toffoli in the neutral zone, cruised down the wing and snapped a shot past Mike Smith just inside the far post. Staal had only three goals and 10 points through 32 games prior to his trade from Buffalo, but the move to a playoff team may have lit a fire under the 36-year-old.

Staal (not injury related) will play in Monday's game versus the Oilers, Jim Matheson reports.

EDGE Analysis

Staal finished his seven-day quarantine and returned to practice Sunday. The 36-year-old posted just 10 points through 32 games with the Sabres this season, but he should benefit from a better all-around lineup in Montreal. Staal's slated to skate with Tyler Toffoli and Jonathan Drouin in Monday's game.

Staal finished his seven-day quarantine and skated Sunday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Staal is no longer in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol following his trade from Buffalo. The 36-year-old could make his Canadiens debut in Monday's game versus the Oilers, but he'll need to be activated from non-roster injured reserve first. Staal put up 10 points and a minus-20 rating with the Sabres before the trade, though he'll certainly have better surrounding talent with the Habs.

Staal remains in quarantine and will be eligible to play his first game for Montreal next Monday against Edmonton, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Staal, who was acquired from Buffalo, arrived in Montreal last Saturday and is serving a seven-day quarantine period. The 36-year-old center is expected to take Jake Evans' roster spot and position as center on the fourth line.

Staal was acquired by the Habs on Friday from the Sabres in exchange for a third-round and fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. In addition, Buffalo will retain half of Staal's $3.25 million cap hit.

EDGE Analysis

With Montreal, Staal figures to bolster the middle of the ice and should slot into a third-line role, though he could push youngster Nick Suzuki for a spot in the top six. Per Canada's seven-day quarantine rules, the earliest the Thunder Bay native could play would be April 3 versus Ottawa, assuming he can travel right away. In 32 games for the Sabres, the 17-year NHL veteran recorded just three goals and seven helpers; not exactly the production level the club was hoping for from a guy who currently sits fifth among active goal scorers with 439. Staal may be the first player shipped out of the Queen City in the lead-up to the April 12 trade deadline, but he is unlikely to be the last.

Staal posted an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Tuesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Staal snapped a six-game point drought with his helper on a Riley Sheahan goal in the first period. Staal's first year in Buffalo hasn't gone very well -- the center has nine points, 38 shots and a minus-14 rating through 24 contests.