Canadiens' Toffoli to miss 8 weeks after undergoing hand surgery

Montreal Canadiens forward Tyler Toffoli is expected to miss eight weeks after undergoing hand surgery, the team announced Saturday.

Toffoli suffered the injury on Dec. 4 against the Nashville Predators. He was initially projected to be out for a few weeks.

The Canadiens are battling an inordinate amount of injuries while struggling to earn wins this season as they sit 31st in the league standings. The club started the campaign with Shea Weber and Paul Byron on long-term injured reserve, and the team currently has Jeff Petry, Josh Anderson, Joel Edmundson, and Toffoli on injured reserve. Brendan Gallagher and Sami Niku are also sidelined due to COVID-19.

Toffoli has recorded five goals and 12 assists in 26 games this season. He ranks second on the Canadiens with 17 points.