Pacioretty leaves game vs. Islanders with lower-body injury

Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty left Friday's game against the New York Islanders with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Pacioretty fell awkwardly in the offensive zone during the second period and was seen soon after walking down the tunnel to the locker room. It was later announced he would not return.

This season has been a huge disappointment for both the Canadiens and Pacioretty, as the team is languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and the captain has only 37 points in 64 games.

Unfortunately for Montreal fans, the bad injury news didn't stop there, as defenseman Victor Mete was also hurt and did not return.

Head coach Claude Julien told reporters postgame that Mete suffered a hand injury and will be sent back to Montreal tomorrow once the team arrives in Boston. As for Patches, his injury is considered less serious and will be re-evaluated on Monday, according to Arpon Basu of The Athletic.