Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The verdict came down at practice this morning, and Martin St-Louis is opting for continuity ahead of tomorrow night’s matchup against the Colorado Avalanche.
Patrick Friolet of RDS reports that there are no changes to the regular lineup.
That means Patrik Laine, Joe Veleno, and Sammy Blais will once again be left out.
“No changes to the lineup at practice.
Patrik Laine, Joe Veleno, and Samuel Blais remain the extra forwards.”
– Patrik Friolet
It’s a decision aimed at maintaining the group’s current chemistry without shaking up the lines.
Patrik Laine did take a few rotations on the first line this morning.
He skated alongside Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Alexandre Texier, but remains the odd man out for now.
The Finn will therefore have to wait before rejoining the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Joe Veleno was acting as the extra forward for the third unit.
The Canadiens’ line combinations remain intact, and Patrik Laine will once again have to wait
Clearly, the Habs management is in no rush to bring him back into the lineup.
On the second line, we find the combination of Juraj Slafkovsky, Kasperi Kapanen, and young Ivan Demidov.
The third line, which has played well recently, is made up of Kirby Dach, Jake Evans, and Zachary Bolduc.
Finally, the veteran line features Brendan Gallagher, Phillip Danault, and Josh Anderson.
Sammy Blais rounds out the group of healthy scratches with Laine and Veleno.
The coaching staff appears eager to reward the collective effort and current structure. So there are no major surprises expected for the matchup against Nathan MacKinnon.
The lineup seems set in stone to take on Colorado’s speed.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
POLL
8 HOURS AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 503 ANSWERS
It appears decided for Patrik Laine ahead of the game against the Colorado Avalanche
Do you agree with the decision to keep the lineup unchanged against the Avalanche?