Patrik Laine in tonight’s line-up: no, says Renaud Lavoie

The Habs are on the brink.

Can they win tonight in Washington to force a Game 6 on Friday night in Montreal? If they want to keep going, they have no choice but to win.

As my colleague Marc-Olivier Cook wrote this morning, if the CH advances to the next round, it will face the Hurricanes.

To do that, you really have to wonder who will be in uniform. Patrik Laine and Alexander Carrier are probably the two biggest question marks right now.

I didn’t put Samuel Montembeault in that category because there’s no question: he won’t be playing Game #5.

And on that subject, this morning on BPM Sports’ Club du Matin, Renaud Lavoie talked about the Laine case. And when asked about a potential return for Laine, his answer was clear.

He said no.

Not only is Lavoie unconvinced about the condition of the Finn’s wrist (not to mention his knee injury), but we’d probably have to move him to the fourth line so as not to break up the other lines.

Fourth trio… second power play… might as well not bring him along at all?

Let’s also note that Renaud Lavoie would rather play Michael Pezzetta than Oliver Kapanen (a center who allows Jake Evans to go on another line) in tonight’s game.

But like my colleague Jonathan Di Gregorio, I don’t eat that bread.

extension

– As for Alexandre Carrier, the fact that he’s been traveling is a good sign. He’s got a sore neck and that doesn’t mean he won’t play tonight, but his situation is one to watch at the moment.

– As far as we know, the Habs haven’t recalled anyone from Laval. It shouldn’t happen, unless there’s a major change.

– The club has no practice on the menu today. However, the extras are expected to skate (which may give some clues) and Martin St-Louis will speak to the media at noon.

– Remember that yesterday, several players were absent from training. Expect to see Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson and David Savard in tonight’s game.