The Montreal Canadiens will be without captain Brian Gionta for their game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday after he returned home for family reasons.

Gionta played in Montreal's 4-1 road victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. He rejoined the team Tuesday after attending to a family emergency and played in a 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

"We don't know when he's going to come back," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said after practice at Rogers Arena on Friday. "He's an important part of our team. He's a good leader, but right now I don't know when he's going to come back."

Therrien confirmed that no callups will be made prior to the game Saturday and Ryan White will be back in the lineup after sitting out against the Oilers.

Gionta has one goal and one assist in four games.