Canadiens winger Patrik Laine sidelined for Game 3 vs Capitals due to upper-body injury
Canadiens winger Patrik Laine sidelined for Game 3 vs Capitals due to upper-body injury
Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) and Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) ago after the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
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 Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) and Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) ago after the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) and Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) ago after the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
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 Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
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 Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
MONTREAL (AP) — 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.
Laine missed the team’s morning skate, and the Canadiens said he will be evaluated daily.
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.
Kasperi Kapanen replaced Laine, while defenseman Arber Xhekaj was inserted into the lineup for Jayden Struble.
The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.
The 27-year-old Laine, known for his dangerous shot, hasn’t scored in his last seven games.
The Canadiens acquired Laine and a second-round draft pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer for defenseman Jordan Harris.
Laine had 20 goals – including 15 on the power play – and 13 assists in 52 games this season after missing the first two months with a knee injury.
“We have some guys battling things, so we’ll see what we start with tonight,” St. Louis said earlier Friday. “Obviously in a series, during games, you make adjustments. That’s part of a best-of-seven.”
Montreal is hosting its first playoff game in front of a sold-out crowd since 2017. The Canadiens played in an empty, or reduced-capacity, Bell Centre during their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.
___
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl