News:Raphael Diaz (concussion) returned to the Montreal lineup Saturday night. He skated 19:29 and had a shot on goal, a hit and a blocked shot in the Canadiens' loss to the Capitals.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz's return after nearly two months became an anticipated event as the Montreal defense began springing leaks two weeks ago, but it wasn't enough Saturday. He was a big part of the team's early success and a fixture on the power play. He played a little more than three minutes on the man-advantage Saturday.
News:Raphael Diaz (concussion) is expected to play Saturday, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz has been out nearly two months dealing with concussion issues. He last played Feb. 25.
News:Raphael Diaz (concussion) could return to action as soon as Saturday, Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse reports.
Analysis: That's not a lock, but it's an indication that we'll see Raphael Diaz -- who last played on February 25 -- suit up for the Habs before the close of the regular season.
News:Raphael Diaz (concussion) skated with the team Monday.
Analysis: The defenseman hasn't played since suffering a concussion on February 25 against the Senators. In the 19 games he played before getting hurt, Raphael Diaz recorded one goal and 12 assists, as well as a plus-5 rating.
News:Raphael Diaz (concussion) has been cleared to begin skating, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz joined fellow teammate Rene Bourque, also dealing with a concussion, on the ice Wednesday. There's no timetable for either players' return.
News:Raphael Diaz, who suffered a concussion Feb. 25, has been working out in the gym, but has still not been cleared to resume skating, according to TSN.ca.
Analysis: Given the sensitive nature of concussions, Raphael Diaz, who has 13 points in 19 games this season, doesn't appear close to a return to action at this stage.
News:Raphael Diaz (concussion) has been placed on IR, Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse reports.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz last suited up on February 25, with no timetable in place at the moment for a possible return to action having been outlined by the Habs.
News:Raphael Diaz remains sidelined due to his concussion symptoms.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz missed Wednesday's game due to the injury, and with him unable to practice, it seems unlikely he will play in either of the Canadiens' games this weekend.
News:Raphael Diaz (concussion) will sit out Wednesday's game against the Maple Leafs, TSN reports
Analysis:Raphael Diaz suffered the concussion during the Habs' shootout loss to the Senators on Monday, and will be replaced by Tomas Kaberle in the lineup Wednesday.
News:Raphael Diaz had an assist Saturday night in Montreal's 4-1 win over Philadelphia. It was just his second point in the past eight games.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz had started the season with eight assists through the first six games, most of which came on the power play. However, Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien replaced Diaz on the top power-play unit when P.K. Subban ended his holdout. Diaz did get some time on the top unit Saturday, and he continues to make smart plays with the puck in all situations.
News:Raphael Diaz assisted on Montreal's lone goal Wednesday night in a loss to Ottawa. The goal came on the man-advantage and gives Diaz six power-play assists (eight overall) through the first six games.
Analysis: While we await the return of P.K. Subban and what exactly his role will be and how his return impacts other defensemen, Raphael Diaz has made a good case for himself to remain on the team's top power play unit. Subban has been a fixture on Montreal's man-advantage the past two seasons, but Diaz and Andrei Markov have been integral to the improvement the Habs have shown this season. Montreal's nine power-play goals ties them for third in the NHL, and their 27.1 scoring percentage is good for eighth overall.
News:Raphael Diaz picked up a pair of assists Tuesday in a win over Winnipeg, giving him seven helpers in five games this year.
Analysis: With P.K. Subban back in the fold, Raphael Diaz could see his power-play ice time drop, which would dig into his value, but the 27-year-old has been one of the season's early surprises. Despite just 16 points last year, he's been a proven scorer in Switzerland, so this isn't quite out of nowhere.
News:Raphael Diaz had two assists, three blocked shots and one hit in 20:28 in Montreal's win over Washington on Thursday. He now has five assists through the first three games.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz was promoted to Montreal's top power-play unit during Wednesday's practice and delivered immediately, feeding Tomas Plekanec for a man-advantage goal in the second period. He's not flashy offensively and is not expected to pile up the points, but he's on a roll to open the season.
News:Raphael Diaz has been moved to Montreal's top power-play unit, playing the point alongside Andrei Markov, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz has gotten off to a quick start this season with three assists (two on the man-advantage) in two games.
News:Raphael Diaz picked up two assists in Tuesday's win over Florida, giving him three helpers in the first two games of the year.
Analysis:Raphael Diaz contributed just 16 points in 59 NHL games last year, but had racked up a combined 70 points in the two prior seasons as one of the best defensemen in the Swiss league. That is to say, he has legitimate under-the-radar offensive upside.
