Patrik Laine remains on IR vs former team Blue Jackets as Canadiens push for playoff spot
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We have a verdict regarding Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine.
The National Hockey League has revealed the official lineups for tonight’s matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
He will therefore not be in uniform to face his former team, a meeting that many fans were eagerly anticipating at the Bell Centre tonight.
We know, however, that Laine has been ready to return to play for quite some time.
It is head coach Martin St-Louis who is stubbornly refusing to insert him into the lineup, even though he is fully healthy.
Patrik Laine remains on the injured list for the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets
This is obviously a very frustrating situation for Laine, who certainly would have loved to face his former Columbus teammates tonight (especially considering what he said about the Blue Jackets following the trade).
It truly looks like Laine may have already played his last game in a Montreal Canadiens uniform.
See the full lineups here:
Patrik Laine, 27 years old, is a big winger standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 208 pounds who was the second overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016 (first round, of course).
He has recorded one point in 5 games this season, after posting 33 points in 52 games last season with the Canadiens (20 goals).
He also collected 9 points in 18 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023-2024, as well as 52 points in 55 games with those same Jackets in 2022-23.
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Patrik Laine remains on IR vs former team Blue Jackets as Canadiens push for playoff spot
Are you disappointed not to see Patrik Laine face his former team tonight?