Canadiens' captain Weber expected to accompany team to Detroit: Coach

The Montreal Canadiens hope to have Shea Weber in the lineup when they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, a day after the defenseman was struck in the face by a puck. Weber, the team captain, was hurt in the first period of the Canadiens' 1-0 loss to the visiting Minnesota Wild on Monday. Weber slid to block a shot from Minnesota's Mikael Granlund and had the puck bounce into his face. He quickly skated to the bench in the aftermath of the play.

He finished the period but did not return for the second or third. Canadiens coach Claude Julien told reporters after the game that Weber avoided serious injury and was expected to accompany the team to Detroit. "I assume he will play (on Tuesday), but I can't guarantee it," Julien said. Weber has six goals and six assists in 19 games for the Canadiens this season. The 33-year-old veteran missed Montreal's first 24 games while recovering from offseason knee surgery. 

(With inputs from agencies.)