Canadiens Recall Top Prospect Reinbacher as Precaution With Matheson Day-to-Day

The Montreal Canadiens added a layer of insurance to their blue line on Wednesday morning, recalling defenseman David Reinbacher from the AHL's Laval Rocket ahead of the second half of a back-to-back against the Washington Capitals.

The move was precautionary. Veteran defenseman Mike Matheson remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and did not dress in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres, leaving Montreal with just six healthy defensemen for the road trip. Head coach Martin St-Louis told reporters that Reinbacher will not draw into the lineup in Washington, where the same skaters from the Buffalo game will go again, with Jakub Dobes starting in goal.

Still, the call-up is a notable moment for the fifth overall pick of the 2023 draft. The 21-year-old Austrian appeared in two NHL games last season, recording one assist, and has two assists in four games with Laval this campaign. Reinbacher's trip may also hint at a longer absence for Matheson, coming days after Montreal traded Jayden Struble to Nashville and activated Kaiden Guhle from injured reserve.

St-Louis said he would be comfortable playing Reinbacher if needed. Montreal (3-2-1) faces the Capitals at 7:30 p.m. ET.