Gionta has missed 10 games and scored only one goal in his previous nine games since scoring a pair on Nov.19. The club slumped to just 3-7-0 in the captain's absence, amidst the myriad of other issues facing the team.

In 29 games with the Habs this season, Gionta has tallied eight goals and seven assists for 15 points.

Meanwhile, forwards Scott Gomez and Ryan White were back on the ice, but were not ready to skate with the rest of the team. Defenseman Andrei Markov, who has yet to play this season, will not return from reconstructive knee surgery until after the All-Star break.