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Highlights
Patrik Laine remained on the bench for the entire third period in Montreal’s Game Two loss to Washington.
Head coach Martin St. Louis opted to rely on a smaller forward group late in the game.
Laine has found the net only once across his past several games, despite leading the team in regular-season power-play goals.
The Montreal Canadiens, a team competing in the National Hockey League’s Eastern Conference, faced a pivotal moment in their first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals. Game Two marked a crucial opportunity to level the series, but the Canadiens now trail after failing to mount a comeback in the final frame.
Laine Sees Limited Action in Critical Moments
Montreal forward Patrik Laine, brought in during the off-season to bolster the team’s offense, was notably absent from the ice during the third period. The forward did not take a single shift during the final period of play, despite the team being behind by a goal.
Head coach Martin St. Louis addressed the decision postgame, citing a need to focus on a select group of forwards who were deemed more effective at that stage of the contest. The move reduced the forward rotation significantly, with Laine’s ice time stopping at just over ten minutes by the final horn.
Offensive Struggles Continue
Laine entered the series on a cold streak and has not managed to score in his most recent stretch of games. Despite leading the Canadiens in power-play goals during the regular season, the forward has been unable to produce consistent results in recent matchups.
His contributions in the opening game of the series included one assist, but defensive lapses led to a negative rating for his time on the ice. Game Two offered little improvement, and the lack of offensive impact was reflected in the benching decision.
St. Louis Explains Tactical Shift
The coaching staff’s decision to shorten the bench was based on in-game assessments. St. Louis emphasized that it was a tactical move rather than a disciplinary action. Alongside Laine, forward Joel Armia saw limited time, logging just a single shift in the third period and finishing the game with the fewest minutes of any Montreal skater.
The strategy, however, did not translate to goals, as the Canadiens were kept off the scoreboard in the third. Washington goaltender Logan Thompson remained solid between the pipes, preserving the Capitals' lead and securing the win.
Series Heads to Montreal
With the series shifting to Bell Centre for the next matchup, the Canadiens find themselves in a challenging position. They have yet to register a victory and will need to regroup quickly in hopes of extending their postseason. Adjustments to the forward lines may be anticipated, particularly regarding the deployment of key offensive contributors like Laine.
