Patrik Laine did not miss his return in the uniform of the Montreal Canadiens during the preparatory calendar, even if he did not score.
The 26-year-old Finn fired five shots on goal, including a few dangerous ones, and the Habs defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-0 on Monday night at the Bell Centre.
Laine was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets last month. He scored at least 30 goals in his first three NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets.
He was playing his first game since Dec. 14, when he suffered a broken collarbone. Laine has also entered the NHL and NHL Players’ Association’s player assistance program to help him regain his mental health.
Laine didn’t look too rusty alongside Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. He got a big welcome from the crowd when he got his first touch of the puck in the game and was dangerous around the net.
Luke Tuch, David Savard, Emil Heineman, Josh Anderson and Alex Barré-Boulet scored for the Canadiens. Cayden Primeau stopped all 13 shots he faced before giving way to Jakub Dobes after 31:14 of play. Dobes then made 12 saves.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
The Canadian scored five times, with four goals in the third period.
Eetu Makiniemi allowed one shot against 14 in net for the Flyers. Cal Petersen replaced him midway through the second period and stopped eight shots.
The Canadiens will play a second preseason game on Tuesday night, when they host the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre.
Several players shine
Primeau was the first Canadiens player to stand out with two great saves against Tyson Foerster during a power play.
Moments later, Laine got the crowd going by carrying the puck from one end to the other and taunting two goaltenders before losing control near the opposing net.
Laine took a dangerous shot a little later, but Makiniemi made the save.
The Flyers goalie made another nice save when Justin Barron found himself alone in front of him following a pass from Joshua Roy.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
The second period was a little less lively, but both teams came within inches of scoring early in the engagement.
The Canadiens found themselves on a two-man power play for two full minutes. Laine had two one-timer opportunities. The first was stopped by Makiniemi and the second missed the target.
The two Flyers players who had been punished were able to orchestrate a two-man attack on the goalie as they left the box. Primeau pulled off another smoking shot by frustrating Ronnie Attard.
The second period was a little less lively, but both teams came within inches of scoring early in the engagement. Foerster hit the post, then Dach imitated him during a two-on-one by the Canadiens.
Tuch finally opened the scoring at 8:18. Jared Davidson stripped the puck from Attard, then passed to Tuch, who got alone in the slot and beat Makiniemi glove side.
Laine was able to get off another good shot, but his compatriot Makiniemi got the better of him again. Laine then set the table for Dach, who missed the target.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
The Canadiens increased their grip on the victory with three goals early in the third period.
Just before giving up his place in front of the Canadiens net to Dobes, Primeau was beaten by Anthony Richard, but the puck hit the post.
Laine had another scoring opportunity late in the second period when the Canadiens were on the power play. Newhook fed him a nice cross-country pass, but Petersen moved quickly and made the save.
The Canadiens increased their grip on the victory with three goals early in the third period.
Savard scored first at 3:06 following a nice exchange with Lane Hutson in the Flyers’ zone. Heineman returned to the charge 50 seconds later thanks to a good one-timer from the slot.
Anderson capped the drive by beating Petersen at 5:39 off a pass from Joshua Roy on a two-on-one attack.
Barré-Boulet turned the knife in the wound by adding a fifth goal with 2:15 left, on a pass from Heineman.