Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme says that forwards Brendan Gallagher and Paul Byron will not return to the lineup on Saturday but is confident that the pair of veteran forwards can return for Sunday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Byron, 32, has not played this season due to offseason hip surgery. He scored five goals and added 11 assists in 46 regular season games during the 2020-21 season. 

Gallagher, 29, has not played since Dec. 30 due to a lower-body injury. The veteran forward has recorded four goals and six assists in 25 games this season.

Ducharme added that forwards Joel Armia and Cole Caufield has their flights to Montreal delayed yesterday, and that they should join the rest of the team today. Both players were played in COVID protocols and were training in Wisconsin until they were allowed to travel back into Canada on Jan. 28.