Odd Situation As a Top Habs Player is Benched in the Third Period

It was a great show yesterday as the Habs came back from behind more than once to win the game in a shootout.

Once again, the inseparable duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were sensational in this game.

There was a strange situation on the Tricolore bench, however, as one of the team's best players of late, Mike Hoffman, did not play a single game in the third period.

Since being paired with Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak, Hoffman has picked up steam, as he was on a four-goal, six-point streak in his last 10 games.

It's unclear at this point what the real reason for this is, but it would seem very surprising if St. Louis gave him a penalty by leaving him on the end of the bench for a full period.

On that subject, Renaud Lavoie talks about an injury in his case.

It's still strange that #68 is available for the power play, but not to take a late game presence to even the score.

Let's hope for the sake of the CH that he's not too bothered by this injury, as he's been playing some good hockey lately and seemed to be rebuilding his reputation a bit for a potential trade.

Credit: Vincent Fournier, Let's Go Habs

Flames GM Craig Conroy reportedly closing in on massive blockbuster trade

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse drops the gloves against Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron

Paul Bissonnette boldly predicts if the Toronto Maple Leafs or Edmonton Oilers will have a better season

Michael McLeod and six other former NHLers suddenly released from their contracts in the KHL

Edmonton Oilers make unexpected roster change for tonight as team struggles to start the year

Canadiens top prospect and first-round pick getting mistreated in Europe: the team is stepping in

Edmonton Oilers targeting very well-known NHL veteran to help team's depth issues

Leafs Craig Berube's firey timeout rant goes viral: we now know what he said

New report has sparked even more speculation on trade talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars

Former NHL enforcer Sean Avery facing backlash from fans after bashing Mika Zibanejad for his offseason habits