MONTREAL - The Canadiens (18-21-9) have the deck stacked against them for Wednesday night's showdown at home against the league's best Red Wings.

Ailing Canadiens' forwards Petteri Nokelainen and Travis Moen Canadiens won't be suiting up for the Canadiens game against the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night due to upper body injuries.

Rene Bourque missed practice as well due to cold or flu-like symptoms but is expected to be ready for game time.

Ryan White, who underwent surgery for a sports hernia in October practiced Tuesday, meanwhile defenseman Yannick Weber is a possibility to plug a gap on a forward line.

The Habs have their hands full against the league leading Red Wings (33-15-1) who are fourth overall in goals for and fourth in goals against.

Brian Gionta and Andrei Markov are also long term injuries and the coach could offer no date for their return.

Meanwhile Carey Price reported that he had healed from a cut he suffered on his left foot after Saturday's game in Toronto. Price missed the Sunday practice. He said that he is ready to tend nets before heading to Ottawa for the All Star game, where he is the lone Montreal representative.

Tomas Kaberle enjoyed a day off by spending time with President Barack Obama. The Czech defenseman was part of the Stanley Cup winning team and he reunited with former teammates for the White House visit.

"I'll cherish that memory for a long time," he said. "Not many people have had the chance to visit the White House and shake hands with Mr. Obama."

Kaberle did not comment on Boston goaltender Tim Thomas's boycott of the event.

Meanwhile P.K. Subban met the press for the first time since he was seen apparently in a heated discussion with assistant coach Randy Ladouceur following a costly error.

He said he tries to improve his performance every day.

"We are still learning," he said.

And Coach Cunneyworth reassured the media that Subban is progressing as is expected.

Goaltender Carey Price is in a good position to understand Subban's position, having previously faced the sophomore critiques himself.

"P.K. has great potential, we must be patient with him," said Price. "Hal Gill has over 1,000 games played in the NHL and PK just over a hundred. You can see the difference between the two. There's nothing like experience. It is not learned, it is acquired."

With files from The Canadian Press