Canadiens’ Patrik Laine not a healthy scratch for Game 3

Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine will not be in lineup for Game 3 of the club’s opening-round series of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals.

Per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Laine is sidelined with an upper-body injury and will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis.

In Game 2, Laine was limited to 10:10 in time on ice and did not see a shift in the third period. Following the 3-1 road loss, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters, including Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, “These are decisions you make as a coach. I shortened our bench a lot. Honestly, went with the nine, 10 players I felt could help us.”

Through the first two games of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Laine has recorded one assist, six shots, two penalty minutes, and a minus-two rating while averaging 11:42 in time on ice. Skating in his first season with the Canadiens, the 27-year-old Finnish-born forward closed out 2024-25 with 33 points counting 20 goals and 13 assists coming in 52 games. Of note, 19 of Laine’s 33 points – accounting for nearly 58 percent – came on the man advantage.

Originally chosen second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft, Laine has since skated in 532 regular-season contests with the Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Canadiens in which he has amassed 224 goals and 197 assists for 421 points. Laine’s best showing came in his sophomore season where through 82 games with the Jets he tallied 44 goals and 26 assists for 70 points. Laine has also added eight goals and nine assists for 17 points through 26 postseason appearances.

Last August, the Canadiens acquired Laine from the Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris. The Canadiens also received a 2026 second-round selection as part of the deal.