Canadiens forward Kirby Dach exits game against Ducks with upper-body injury

By Canadian Press on March 15, 2026.

MONTREAL — Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach left Sunday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks with an upper-body injury following a high hit from winger Jeffrey Viel.

Viel caught an unsuspecting Dach in Anaheim’s end three minutes into the first period after the Canadiens forward swatted at a puck with his arm but missed.

Dach fell to the ice with his face in his gloves before gingerly making his way to the bench, and eventually to the dressing room. The officials did not call a penalty on the play.

Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj and forward Josh Anderson approached Viel later in the period, but the Ducks forward declined apparent requests to fight.

Dach has eight goals and six assists through 31 games this season, his fourth in Montreal.

The 25-year-old from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. — a third overall draft pick in 2019 — already missed time with a fractured foot this season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2026.

The Canadian Press