Slafkovsky status uncertain vs. Islanders after leaving Canadiens practice early

The Montreal Canadiens could be without one of their top forwards when they take on the New York Islanders on Saturday.

Juraj Slafkovsky left practice early Friday with a trainer with no real concrete update on his status.

Head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters that he was not sure if Slafkovsky would be able to play but is travelling with the team to New York.

The 20-year-old has a goal and four points through five games this season.

St. Louis also said that defenceman Mike Matheson will travel with the team, while Kaiden Guhle will not be on the trip.

Matheson left Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings after suffering an upper-body injury. Matheson logged 7:35 in ice time during the first period but did not return for the second because of the injury.

Matheson, 30, has picked up three assists in five games for the Canadiens this season and has been the team’s defenceman tabbed for duty on the first power play unit.

The 30-year-old Matheson of Pointe-Claire, Que., led all Canadiens defencemen with 62 points and a 25:33 average ice time last season.

With his absence, rookie sensation Lane Hutson played a whopping 30:05 in only his seventh NHL game. Guhle played 23:09 when Matheson was forced to leave the game but will be sidelined with an upper-body injury.

Montreal recalled Logan Mailloux from the AHL Friday morning.