Petry had a team-high six hits and blocked one shot over 22:42 of ice time in Saturday's 2-1 overtime victory over Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Petry, who is plus-1 over the last 10 games, has been rewarded with more playing time since he was minus-7 over the first eight games of the season. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging two more minutes of ice time since his poor start and has used additional ice time to deliver blows to opponents. Petry has averaged 3.5 hits per game over the last eight and leads Montreal with 49 hits overall.

Petry had a goal on six shots with two hits and two blocked shots in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win over Winnipeg.

EDGE Analysis

Petry atoned for a penalty that led to a Jets power-play goal early in the third-period goal when evened the game at four apiece with just under five minutes remaining, giving the struggling Habs an opportunity to win in OT. It was his second goal of the season and second point in the last three games. After starting the season at minus-7 over the first eight games, Petry has stabilized since, posting a plus-2 over the past six.

Petry had two shots on net, two hits, three blocked shots and scored a goal in Montreal's 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Petry finished off a nice pass from Jonathan Drouin to give the Canadiens an early 1-0 lead. The goal could take some of the pressure of him after a rough start that has him leading Montreal at minus-4 over five games.

Petry had one shot on goal and plus-2 over 19:11 of ice time in Saturday's 9-2 preseason win over the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Petry was lined up with Karl Alzner on Montreal's second pairing, and that looks like where he'll be when Montreal opens the regular season in Buffalo on Thursday. Petry finished the preseason with two points (one goal, one assist) and plus-1 over five games while averaging 17:15 of ice time per game.

Petry failed to hit the scoresheet during Monday's win against Florida and has just one assist through his past 16 games.

EDGE Analysis

Petry collected nine of his 28 points through the first 17 games of the season, so it's really been a prolonged offensive drought (19 points over 60 games since). He's provided solid peripheral coverage with 165 shots, 143 blocked shots and 164 hits while logging 22:03 of ice time per game, but the lack of scoring down the stretch has been a significant blow to his virtual stock. With Shea Weber nursing a lower-body injury, there might be a heightened offensive opportunity for Petry through the final three games of the year, though.

Petry, who missed Tuesday's win over Buffalo due to illness, is expected to return to the lineup Thursday against Philadelphia, Bill Beacon of the Canadian Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Petry's return means Greg Pateryn will be inactive against the Flyers. The seven-year veteran is having his best NHL season with career highs in goals (eight), shots (120), rating (plus-11) and, at 24 points through 49 games, should easily surpass the 25-point high-water mark set in 2011.

Petry (illness) will not suit up for Tuesday night's matchup with the Sabres, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Petry misses his first game since Opening Night and will likely be replaced by Greg Pateryn on the second defensive pairing. The recently acquired Nikita Nesterov is also in line to make his Canadiens debut Tuesday with Petry out. The 29-year-old blueliner will have until Thursday to rest up before an away game against the Flyers.

Petry is under the weather and will be a game-time decision versus the Sabres on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Petry has been bogged down in a 16-game goalless streak during which he registered seven helpers and 10 PIM, not exactly the type of numbers that jump off the page. If the 29-year-old is unable to suit up, Greg Pateryn is on tap to replace him in the lineup.

Petry picked up an assist Saturday in an overtime loss to Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Petry continues on a career pace -- his 23 points are just two from matching his best tally (2011-12). There was some thought that Petry's ice time and output would decline when Andrei Markov returned from injury, but that won't happen anytime soon -- Markov's injury just isn't progressing and he may have had a setback. Petry could come close to 40 points this season.

Petry had two assists, four hits, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in 22:27 of ice time in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Petry and Nathan Beaulieu are emerging as a first-rate scoring duo as Montreal's second pair. Petry has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in the last 13 games while Beaulieu has six points (one goal, five assists) over his last five. The offensive growth in both players will allow coach Michel Therrien to use Andrei Markov (groin) wisely when he returns from injury.