Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine will be out of action for the next two to three months as he recovers from a sprained left knee, the team announced recently. Laine sustained the injury during a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs when he collided knee-on-knee with Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare. The impact caused Laine’s left knee to bend backward, leading to immediate pain and his fall to the ice. Despite Pare not receiving a penalty for the hit, Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj engaged in a fight with Pare, resulting in penalties and Xhekaj being fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Laine, who joined the Canadiens in a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, was seen at practice on crutches but fortunately will not require surgery for his recovery. His absence will be felt by the team, especially as they had high hopes for him after acquiring the six-time 20-goal scorer. The Canadiens have been rebuilding under head coach Martin St. Louis, with improvements seen in their points total over the past seasons.
The addition of Laine was expected to further boost the team’s performance, as they aim for an 80-point campaign in the upcoming season. With a roster that includes talented players like Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, Brendan Gallagher, and Nick Suzuki, Laine’s presence was seen as a valuable asset. The Canadiens will wrap up their preseason games against the Ottawa Senators before facing the Maple Leafs in their regular-season opener on October 9th.