Patrik Laine received a warm welcome from fans in his first outing in a Montreal Canadiens uniform and he showed that he was not too rusty even though his last game was more than nine months ago.
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.
“I want to get my rhythm back, get some strength back in my legs. I haven’t skated much this summer and I’m going to have to work hard,” Laine said.
“I think it’s going well, but I have to be patient. It was frustrating today to get so many chances and not score,” he added.
Laine played alongside Kirby Dach, who last played Oct. 14, and Alex Newhook. He attempted a total of nine shots and spent 16:48 on the ice, including 2:56 on the power play.
“He got a lot of touches [de rondelle] in space [dangereux]said head coach Martin St-Louis. It’s because he was in the right spots. And if there was nothing in front of him, he threw the puck deep. I liked his decisions.”
St. Louis had said earlier in the day that the team would take its time with Laine and monitor his workload closely. The man in question assured that he will be ready for the season opener on October 9 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“A lot of guys have been working hard since May, but not me,” Laine said. “It’s good to be able to get more treatment days and manage my workload differently. But I also need the reps and skating to get back in shape and feel good on the ice.”
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.
Lane Hutson continued to rouse the crowd at the Bell Centre and St-Louis said he was impressed by his consistency since the start of camp.
Oliver Kapanen also looked good in his first preseason game with the Canadiens.
“We have a lot of good young players and they all stood out pretty much tonight,” St. Louis said. “Hats off to our scouts. It’s fun to have that many talented players.”
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.
“I grew up watching Guy Lafleur play hockey,” St-Louis said. “It was a bit like that!”
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.
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 period. Foerster hit the post, then Dach followed suit on a Canadiens two-on-one.
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.
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 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.