With the NHL preseason in full swing, fans can catch a glimpse of their favorite teams in action as they await the regular season’s beginning with bated breath. Montreal Canadiens fans have reasons to be optimistic, especially after the team showed remarkable progress last season.
Unfortunately, the Habs fell short. Arch-rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, squarely defeated the Canadiens 7-2 at the Bell Center. The Canadiens clearly had some explaining to do after falling to a Maple Leaf roster that mainly comprised AHL-caliber players. Patrik Laine took one for the team, but it was hardly an acceptable explanation.
What did Patrik Laine Say About the Montreal Canadiens’ Preseason Loss?
To be fair, it is only preseason. None of the games means anything substantial. But the Canadiens are hungry for redemption. Last season, the team made the playoffs after a significant drought; every appearance on the ice counts for the Habs. The team did not perform as expected. Laine explained that many on the team, including him, were “sleeping.”
It was hardly an explanation anyone wanted. The Habs had decisively failed to keep up with the Maple Leafs’ offense with disastrous consequences. The Canadiens had won both preseason games against the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins till the Leafs disrupted Montreal’s winning streak.
The Habs managed two goals, first by Mike Matheson and the second by Laine. On the other hand, the Leafs had seven: Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz had two each to their credit. To make things worse, a nagging groin injury also caused Noah Dobson to refrain from returning in the third period.
At such a turn of events, Marco D’Amico stepped in to offer his blunt take on Laine’s performance. D’Amico stated that, notwithstanding injuries, the winger’s game hasn’t been what it should be. “You want to give Patrik Laine the benefit of the doubt because of the injuries, but the number of lazy plays continue to add up.”
D’Amico also remains open to the possibility of the 27-year-old making changes to his decisions so that the Habs fare better. “Yes, he scored a rocket on the PP, but at 5v5, it’s been a very difficult last five period. Let’s see if he’s able to adjust his pace and decisions.”
The Canadiens had been on a roll before the Maple Leafs dealt the team a humbling defeat. It is a relief that Montreal will have adequate opportunities to salvage the team’s reputation once the 2025-26 season kicks off. The pressure on the Habs to prove themselves worthy of making the playoffs is higher than ever.