David Desharnais offers short-term fantasy value with Alex Galchenyuk out

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Here are the fantasy implications of Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk being sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury:

Despite failing to find the score sheet in the Canadiens' most recent game, a 5-4 shootout road win over the Kings on Sunday, Galchenyuk nevertheless leads the team in goals (nine) and points (23).

The young center's most recent set of linemates, RW Alexander Radulov (five goals, 21 points) and LW Max Pacioretty (seven goals, 18 points) are second and tied for third, respectively, in team scoring, so Galchenyuk's absence deprives Montreal of its most potent attacking trio.

As with most NHL injuries, the ailment itself ("lower-body") and the current timeline ("out indefinitely") are fairly vague. There's no reason for Galchenyuk's fantasy owners to panic, at least not until a clear diagnosis is revealed.

The Canadiens at least don't have that hectic an upcoming schedule, playing four times from December 6 through December 12, and then receiving a few days off until playing again on December 16.

With three goals and six assists through 24 games, veteran center David Desharnais hasn't had a particularly productive campaign, but he was promoted from his third-line role to play alongside Radulov and Pacioretty following Galchenyuk's departure on Sunday. With two assists against the Kings, one of which came on the power play, the 5-foot-7 Quebec native staked his claim for a first-line spot.

Averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time, Desharnais exceeded 15 minutes for the fifth time this season against Los Angeles. While he may not prove to be a long-term fantasy asset, the 30-year-old could have some immediate season-long value as long as he assumes Galchenyuk's role at even strength and on the power play.

For his career, Desharnais has averaged 0.58 points per game while maintaining a solid 15 percent shooting rate that's never dipped below 12.2 percent in any of his seven full seasons. Montreal's fifth-ranked power play has converted at a 22.8 percent clip, so regular assists could be in the offing if Desharnais can feed the puck to defenseman Shea Weber, who has scored seven of his eight goals with the man advantage.

Possession-wise, Desharnais has a Corsi For percentage of 51.24, per Corsica.Hockey, ranking him above Montreal's team average of 50.37 percent, and in the range of Galchenyuk (51.77), who has likely benefited from playing with Pacioretty and his team-leading Corsi For percentage of 53.67.