BROSSARD, Que. — The news was grim when what was feared on Thursday was confirmed on Friday.

Alex Newhook, who left the 17th Montreal Canadiens game of the season unable to put any pressure on his right leg following a feet-first collision with the boards, had surgery to repair a fractured ankle Friday. The 24-year-old forward, who shot out to the best start of his NHL career with six goals and six assists through the first 16 games, isn’t likely to return until the final stretch of the regular season.

A fourth-month recovery timeline brings Newhook to Mar. 14.

On top of that, Kaiden Guhle, who was initially supposed to miss four-to-six weeks with a groin injury suffered Oct. 16, will now miss eight-to-10 more following surgery to repair a partially torn adductor muscle.

Touching base

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