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Canadiens captain Brian Gionta leaves team for family reasons

Gionta will miss Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.

by Patrick Iversen
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Spor
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NHL Saturday: Oilers collapse late in Toronto
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The Montreal Canadiens will be without their captain on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks, as Brian Gionta has left the team due to family reasons.

Gionta spent last weekend dealing with a “family emergency” before meeting up with his teammate on Tuesday in Calgary. He then played in Montreal’s 4-1 win over Edmonton on Thursday before this latest departure. Canadiens coach Michel Therrien didn’t give a timetable for his return.

Gionta, 34, has a goal and an assist through four games this season. Ryan White is expected to take his spot in the lineup, while Brandon Prust will joining Rene Bourque and David Desharnais on the wing .

Montreal finishes up their current four-game West Coast road trip in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

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