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What’s happening with Laine right now proves that it’s over for him with the CH
Marc-Olivier Cook
What’s happening with Laine right now proves that it’s over for him with the CH
Credit: Getty Images

We can’t say that the Patrik Laine experience in Montreal has been a resounding success.

The forward has given fans some good moments this season… but for the most part, he’s played Patrik Laine .

And I don’t need to draw a picture for you to understand what I’m implying here.

Laine played in the Habs’ first two playoff games against the Caps, and it wasn’t great.

He seems injured… and maybe that explains why he hasn’t been good.

Let’s not forget that he won’t be playing tonight and will miss a third straight game…

But all in all, it’s got to be over for him in Montreal.

Because if he’s not playing because he’s (a little) injured, it can’t last. He took part in the team’s training session yesterday wearing his full jersey, and he didn’t seem any the worse for wear…

On the other hand, if Martin St-Louis leaves him out even though he’s healthy, it can’t last either.

And that’s why we can say that the marriage (which has seemed imperfect since Day 1) between Laine and the CH must come to an end.

It’s more obvious than ever these days.

The CH acquired Patrik Laine to help out on the power play.

But in the last two games, where Laine has been absent, we’ve seen that the CH is capable of getting by without him.

The (very) young unit of Suzuki, Hutson, Demidov, Caufield and Slaf has scored three times in two games on the powerplay, and the Habs have converted nearly 44% (4 in 9) of their man-advantage opportunities in their last two games.

It can work without Laine, even if the sample size is small.

Then again, the fact that Laine isn’t playing right now speaks volumes, because in the playoffs, all the guys are playing with injuries.

That’s no excuse. Maybe Martin St-Louis is tired of seeing him drag his feet too, and that explains why.

But in any case, we can come to the same conclusion: Patrik Laine and the Habs are finished.


In a gust

– Oh. Keep an eye on…

– 🤣

– Well deserved, once again.

– I love the mentality.

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