Canadiens' Gionta to have season-ending surgery

BROSSARD, Quebec -- Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta will undergo season-ending surgery Friday on a torn left biceps muscle, the team announced Wednesday.

This is the second year in a row Gionta has torn his biceps muscle; he previously had surgery Jan 11, 2012 to repair a torn right biceps muscle.

Gionta had his left arm wrenched back in Game 1 of the Canadiens' Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Ottawa Senators last Thursday. Gionta missed Game 2, played 18:10 in Game 3 on Sunday and collected an assist, then missed the Canadiens' 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 on Tuesday.

Gionta was tied for third on the Canadiens this season with 14 goals in 48 regular-season games, and his 26 points were ninth-best on the club.

The Canadiens also had some good injury news Wednesday: Center Lars Eller skated briefly in the morning with a trainer. Eller sustained a concussion and facial fractures when he was hit by Senators defenseman Eric Gryba in Game 1. Gryba was suspended two games by the NHL for the hit.