Here are the latest updates I can share based on recent reports:
- Alexandre Carrier returned to Montreal Canadiens practice on Friday, April 17, 2026, raising optimism he could be ready for the start of the postseason, though his exact status for Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay hadn’t been confirmed at that time [sources note from Radio-Canada and CBS Sports coverage of Canadiens practice].[1][2]
- He had been out with an upper-body injury since late March and initially expected to miss 2–4 weeks; that timeline had been approaching its shorter end by mid-April, which contributed to speculation about a postseason return.[2][3]
- If Carrier is unavailable for Game 1, Montreal could rely more on Lane Hutson and Adam Engström for additional ice time on the blue line, with Carrier’s regular-season output this year including a career-high seven goals and 15 assists across 73 games, before the injury.[3][5]
Context and notes:
- The reports emphasize practice participation as a positive signal for a playoff comeback, but official confirmation of Game 1 availability came from the Canadiens at a later date, so the precise lineup decision may depend on team medical updates.[1][2]
- Coverage includes multiple outlets (TheScore, CBS Sports, and NHL-focused outlets) corroborating the injury timeline and potential postseason impact.[2][3][1]
If you’d like, I can pull the very latest official status from the Canadiens’ communications and summarize any new updates for Game 1, including estimated lineup and possible minutes. I can also provide a quick, reader-friendly snapshot of Carrier’s injury timeline and postseason projections.
Sources
Carrier (upper body) participated in Friday's practice session on the second defensive pairing, Marc Antoine Godin of Radio-Canada reports. Analysis: Carrier has been sidelined since late March due to his upper-body injury, and he was initially expected to miss 2-4 weeks. He's reached the short range of that threshold, and his participation in Friday's practice signals that he could return to action for the start of postseason play. However, the Canadiens haven't yet revealed his status for...
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www.foxsports.comThe deal that brought Alexandre Carrier to Montreal last season was a game-changer for the team. The defenseman stabilized a defensive brigade that was struggling… and the club went back to winning with regularity afterwards.
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www.espn.comAn experienced blueliner could be out until the postseason. On Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens announced that defenseman Alexandre Carrier is expected to miss the next 2-4 weeks with an upper-body injury.
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