Matheson posted an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson set up Johnny Kovacevic on the opening goal at 12:56 of the first period. With four helpers in his last three games, Matheson is taking to a top-pairing role quite well. The defenseman has a goal, four assists, 21 shots on net, 10 hits, nine blocked shots and a minus-4 rating through nine outings.

Matheson posted an assist and two shots on goal in Monday's 7-6 overtime loss to the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson has assists in consecutive games for the first time this year. The 28-year-old has provided a significant boost to the Canadiens' blue line in terms of experience since his season debut Nov. 19. He's picked up a goal, three helpers, 20 shots on net and a minus-4 rating through eight contests while logging massive minutes in a top-four role. That's also included regular power-play time, so Matheson is worth a look in deeper fantasy formats if he can keep chipping in a point roughly every other game.

Matheson had a power-play assist, five shots on net, five hits and one blocked shot over 26:57 of ice time in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson set up Nick Suzuki coming off the right boards, leading to Montreal's first goal. It was the second time in four games Matheson was the primary helper on a Suzuki power-play strike. The 28-year-old blueliner has three points (two on the power play) over the seven games since returning from an abdomen injury.

Matheson had a power-play assist, one shot on net, one blocked shot and two PIM over 24:01 of ice time in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson played a game of pass with forward Nick Suzuki, who scored from the right faceoff circle to give Montreal a 2-1 lead in the second period. It was Matheson's second point (first on the power play) in four games since returning from an abdominal injury that cost him the season's first 17 contests. There don't appear to be any issues with conditioning for Matheson, who is averaging 23:48 TOI, including 2:47 on the power play.

Matheson scored a goal during Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the visiting Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson, who dressed for the first time Saturday after recovering from an abdominal muscle strain, made his presence felt from the opening faceoff. The 28-year-old defenseman looked in midseason form, scoring a second-period tally from the high slot area off a no-look backhand helper from Nick Suzuki. Matheson finished with four PIM, three shots and two blocks in the comeback win.

Matheson (abdomen) will make his Montreal debut Saturday against the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson was dealt from the Penguins in the offseason, but he suffered an abdominal muscle strain before the start of the regular season. He will line up with Joel Edmundson on the second pairing. Matheson had a career-best 11 goals and 31 points in 74 games last season with Pittsburgh.

Matheson (abdomen) participated in his first full-contact practice with teammates Friday and could be active Saturday against the Flyers, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson skated on a pairing with Joel Edmundson, a sign that the team plans to make him available against the Flyers, while Arber Xhekaj skated on the fourth pairing with Chris Wideman. Montreal also cleared a roster spot Friday by sending Rem Pitlick to AHL Laval. Matheson was a key offseason acquisition who can provide a veteran presence for a largely youthful blue line.

Matheson (abdomen) will not play Thursday in Columbus, Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson is close to returning, as he's been practicing in a regular jersey, but he has yet to get the green light to play, so he'll be missing from the lineup against the Blue Jackets. Matheson has yet to play this season but is ahead of schedule, as he was originally expected to miss eight weeks from the start of the NHL season with an abdominal muscle strain.

Matheson (abdomen) skated in a regular jersey Wednesday morning, indicating he should be ready to make his Montreal debut sooner rather than later, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson has yet to play this season due to an abdominal muscle strain, but he could enter the lineup as soon as Thursday versus the Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old defender picked up 11 goals, 31 points and 140 shots on net through 74 games with the Penguins last year.

Matheson (abdomen) is wearing a non-contact jersey at practice Friday, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson has yet to suit up in the regular season after suffering an abdominal muscle strain at the tail-end of training camp. The original prognosis was eight weeks, which would get him back in the lineup in early December, but he could be ahead of schedule. Matheson had a career-high 11 goals and 31 points with Pittsburgh in 2021-22 and was dealt in the offseason to Montreal with a fourth-round pick in 2023 for Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling.