Breaking: Canadiens will be without one of their core players when they start the playoffs.

Injuries are a part of life when it comes to professional sports but being a man down in the playoffs is always a heart breaker for fans.

On Monday Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien confirmed that he would be without one of his core players come playoff time, with defenseman Alexei Emelin officially ruled out for Wednesday's playoff opener against the New York Rangers.

The news is particularly concerning because if Julien is able to rule Emelin out two full days prior to puck drop it would appear to indicate that the injury is a significant one. Emelin has been out with a lower-body injury and while the team would not provide an official timetable for his return, according to Sportsnet isnder Eric Engels Julien did state that  Emelin would be re-evaluated after the game.

Not what fans of the Canadiens want to hear before Game 1.

[pub]