Canadiens need much more from Patrik Laine, if he plays Game 3 It’s a big if, especially after St. Louis benched Laine for the entire third period of Game 2 with the Canadiens trailing by a goal.

Apr 8, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine (92) takes a shot on net during the second period of the game against the Detroit Red Wings at the Bell Centre.

Montreal Canadiens' Patrik Laine, right, celebrates his goal with Cole Caufield (13) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in ...

Laine’s absence comes after coach Martin St. Louis benched the 27-year-old winger for the third period of Wednesday’s Game 2 3-1 loss after a difficult first two periods for the Finnish forward.

Montreal’s Patrik Laine is out for Friday’s Game 3 of the Canadiens’ first-round playoff series against Washington due to an upper-body injury ...