Defender Mike Matheson took another step in his fitness by skating for the first time with his teammates during practice with the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.
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The Quebec back, however, wore a jersey that did not give him the right to contact. Matheson, 28, is recovering from an abdominal muscle injury and has yet to don a Habs uniform this season.
He also skated solo on Monday morning before practice. Matheson could be ahead of schedule, as a return to play was scheduled for him in early December.
Forward Brendan Gallagher did not take part in the exercise, as he was enjoying a day of treatment. Josh Anderson, returning from a two-game suspension, took his place on the second line completed by Mike Hoffman and Christian Dvorak.
Sean Monahan took his place in the center of Evgenii Dadonov and Jonathan Drouin. The other two units have not been modified by head coach Martin St-Louis, who should also speak to the media in the morning.
Forward Juraj Slafkovsky will serve Game 2 of his suspension on Saturday night. He was one of the extra skaters training with defenseman Chris Wideman.
On the back of two straight wins over the Detroit Red Wings and the Vancouver Canucks, the Canadiens will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Center on Saturday.