As the Montreal Canadiens prepare for Game 3 of their first-round series against the Washington Capitals on Friday, the status of Patrik Laine remains up in the air.
Laine will be a game-time decision, the team said.
The winger did not participate in practice ahead of the pivotal matchup — as Montreal aims to dig out of a 2-0 hole — for what the team described as a maintenance day.
Laine was benched during the third period of the Canadiens’ Game 2 loss on Wednesday.
“They’re decisions you make as a coach,” said head coach Martin St. Louis post-game when asked about tightening up his rotation and Laine getting zero shifts in the final frame. “I shortened my bench by a lot in the third. Honestly, I went with the nine or 10 (forwards) who I thought could help the cause.”
Laine wasn’t the only one to see less time, however, as forward Joel Armia was limited to a single shift in the third period. Armia also finished Game 2 with a team-low 7:27 of ice time.
Laine, who joined the Canadiens in the off-season, finished the game with just 10:10 of total ice time. In Game 1, Laine had one assist in 13:14 but finished as a minus-2.
The Finnish forward got off to a hot start with the Canadiens this season but has struggled to find the back of the net lately. After another goalless game in Game 2, Laine now has just one goal in his last 11 games.
Laine led the Canadiens with 15 power-play goals in the regular season.
Action between the Canadiens and Capitals resumes Friday night, with the first puck dropping at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
