Kotkaniemi has been out since March 28th but will replace Steven Lorentz in the lineup on Thursday. Kotkaniemi has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 63 games this season while playing primarily in the bottom-6 and PP2.
Kotkanieimi suffered a lower-body injury late in Tuesday's win in Washington on a questionable hit from Lars Eller. Jordan Martinook (undisclosed) could be back in the lineup on Thursday to replace Kotkanieimi on the fourth line.
Kotkaniemi missed three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Saturday in Minnesota. Kotkaniemi will replace Steven Lorentz and skate on the fourth line with Derek Stepan and Jordan Martinook.
Kotkaniemi likely will not be available for Monday's game in Toronto after testing positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. It's unclear who will replace him in the lineup, with the only reserve forward being Teuvo Teravainen, who is a game-time decision. The Hurricanes may have to call up Josh Leivo from the AHL if Teravainen can't play.
Kotkaniemi was a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. Toronto but will replace Jake Evans (undisclosed) in the lineup for Game 2. Kotkanieimi, who will centre the fourth line, had 20 points (5G / 15A) in 56 games this season.
Kotkaniemi will be a surprise scratch for Game 1 of the postseason, as the Canadiens go with Phillip Danault, Nick Suzuki, Eric Staal and Jake Evans down the middle. In addition to Kotkaniemi, Cole Caufield and Alexander Romanov will both scratched as well.
With Brendan Gallagher returning to the lineup, someone has to sit and much, to everyone's surprise, it looks like Kotkaniemi will get a night in the stands. Kotkaniemi remained on the ice with the injured players and other presumed scratches, so look for him to sit in Buffalo.
Kotkaniemi has missed the last eight games with a concussion but will play Saturday in Tampa Bay. Kotkaniemi will replace Joel Armia, who is now week-to-week with an upper-body ailment. Kotkaniemi has scored just three goals and two assists (five points) in 22 games this season.
Kotkaniemi will not play Saturday vs. the Red Wings but will travel to Western Canada with the team next week, suggesting he could play before the Christmas break. The Habs have gone 4-2-0 without Kotkaniemi.
Kotkaniemi has missed the last two games with a concussion and there's no timetable for his return. His move to IR opens up a roster spot to call-up Ryan Poehling from Laval for Wednesday's game vs. the Senators.
Kotkaniemi suffered a concussion in an awkward collision with Nikita Zadorov on Thursday and will not play Thursday vs. the Rangers. With Kotkaniemi out, Charles Hudon is expected to draw back into the Canadiens lineup.
Kotkaniemi has missed the last seven games with a groin issue but will play against the Devils. Kotkaniemi has had a slow start offensively, scoring just two goals with one assist in 12 games.
The Canadiens are expecting Kotkaniemi to play one of their two weekend games, so look for him to play Saturday. Jordan Weal will replace Ryan Poehling, who replaced Kotkaniemi originally.
Kotkaniemi has missed the last six games but will play either Friday in Washington or Saturday vs. New Jersey. The Canadiens don't want the second-year centre to overdue it in his return from injury but it's a good sign that he'll play in at least one of the two games.
Kotkaniemi will miss his sixth consecutive game with a groin injury and the Habs maintain that he is day-to-day. Montreal doesn't play again until Friday/Saturday, so monitor Kotkaniemi's status as they week progresses towards their back-to-back.
