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Laine absent or not, Demidov must play on the first wave of the power play tonight
Marc-Olivier Cook
Laine absent or not, Demidov must play on the first wave of the power play tonight
Credit: Getty Images

Patrik Laine did not take part in the Canadiens’ practice this morning at the Bell Centre.

And we don’t know if he’ll be able to play tonight in Game 3 of the series against the Capitals.

But it doesn’t matter: whether Laine is there or not, he deserves to lose his place on the first wave of the power play.

Laine may have a quality shot, but it hasn’t been working for him for a while.

The sniper hasn’t scored in powerplay since March 30… and it’s time to change some things.

Add to that the fact that he doesn’t seem interested in playing right now. Some are talking about injury… but seeing him be so soft in the first two games of the series, it’s got to make Martin St-Louis make a decision.

And if Laine is in uniform tonight, St-Louis needs to send him a message: you don’t want to go five-on-five? Make room for another guy on the first power-play unit.

There is one guy, after all, who just waits for his chance.

And you’ll understand that I’m talking about Ivan Demidov…

The Canadiens must find a new formula to be effective on the power play.

The club hasn’t scored with the man advantage since the start of the series… and if we push the note even further, we realize that the CH has justone goal on its last 25 power playopportunities .

Not nearly enough.

If Laine doesn’t play tonight, we’ll see Caufield take over his spot on the powerplay.

And the addition of a playmaker like Demidov on the first unit could help find results because we know the Russian has the offensive skills to be dangerous in the Capitals’ zone.

It’s not as if Demidov is overused at even strength, either. As long as we’re benching him, I’d like to see him get a chance to showcase his talent… and I know I’m not alone on my island in thinking this way.

All this to say that the Patrik Laine experiment must come to an end… even on the first wave of the power play.

He hasn’t brought anything concrete to the ice – even on the power play – for some time now, and the time has come to make a decision.


In gusto

– He revived his career when he joined the Blues.

– Win or lose tonight?

– Big fine… #OuPas

– Oh, wow!

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