Matheson (abdomen) skated prior to Monday's practice, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson has been sidelined since the start of the season with an abdominal muscle strain. He was given a two-month timeline Oct. 14 but looks like he could be ahead of schedule.

Matheson is expected to miss eight weeks with an abdominal muscle strain.

EDGE Analysis

Previous reports indicated Matheson was dealing with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old shouldn't be expected back until mid-December unless his recovery goes well. His absence bodes well for the likelihood of Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj continuing to hold down spots on the Canadiens' blue line, at least until Joel Edmundson (lower body) returns.

Matheson (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve, according to the Canadiens' website.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson did not play Wednesday in the Canadiens' 4-3 win over Toronto. Matheson came over from Pittsburgh, where he had 11 goals and 31 points in 74 games last season.

Matheson (lower body) won't play Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs, Jean-Francois Chaumont of Le Journal de Montreal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson underwent an MRI on Wednesday, so more information regarding the severity of his lower-body issue should be released in the coming days. With Matheson on the shelf, look for Arber Xhekaj to make his NHL debut against Toronto.

Matheson is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson's availability for the start of the 2022-23 season has not been determined yet. He is projected to be a top-pairing defender for the Canadiens this year and could see time on the power play as well.

The Penguins traded Matheson and a 2023 fourth-round pick to the Canadiens in exchange for Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling on Saturday, PuckPedia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson had arguably his best season yet in 2021-22, setting career highs in goals (11), assists (20), plus-minus rating (plus-12) and hits (97) while averaging 18:48 of ice time through 74 appearances with Pittsburgh. He'll likely get more ice time with Montreal in 2022-23, but his offensive production will almost certainly decline with a Habs team that isn't expected to compete for a playoff spot.

Matheson garnered 11 goals and 20 assists, both career highs, in 74 games this season, inducing five game-winning goals.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson's offensive game was on full display this season even if he was an afterthought on the man advantage for most of the campaign. If the team decides to move on from Kris Letang this offseason, it will almost certainly be the 28-year-old Matheson who is tasked with trying to fill the offensive gap left behind.

Matheson recorded three assists, four shots on goal and two hits in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Rangers in Game 3.

EDGE Analysis

The first two of Matheson's assists came on power-play goals by Jeff Carter and Evan Rodrigues in the first period. He added one more helper on a Jake Guentzel empty-netter in the third. Matheson is up to four assists in three playoff contests, and he's seen a larger role alongside Kris Letang on the top pairing with Brian Dumoulin (lower body) sidelined.

Matheson scored a goal on one shot versus the Avalanche on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson has goals in back-to-back games for the second time this season which continues a strong offensive turnaround. Since rejoining the lineup following a five-game absence in early March, the blueliner has registered seven points, 27 shots and 20 hits in 13 outings.

Matheson ripped a goal and collected four hits in a 3-2 win over the Blues on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson now has two goals and an assist across his last four games since coming off of the IR (upper body). Missing five games seems to have revitalized him though, as he had just three points in eight February games.