Call of the Wilde: Laine scores in debut as Canadiens beat Islanders in OT
Global News
It was a joyful atmosphere at the Bell Centre in Montreal as Patrik Laine scored in his Canadiens debut as the team beat the New York Islanders 2-1 in overtime.
The last chance for the Montreal Canadiens to go on a run to save the season. If they can’t put something together during a five-game home stand, they are not likely to rise up the standings this year.
The New York Islanders visited the Bell Centre with Montreal needing a result. They got it when Nick Suzuki scored on his own rebound in overtime 2-1.
Wilde Horses
The contest marked the return of Patrik Laine to hockey for the first time in 355 days, and the debut for him as a Canadiens forward in game 25 of the season. By the end of the first period, Laine’s presence gave a hint to what a proper top-six looks like for the first time in ages in Montreal.
Laine changed the second line from getting completely overwhelmed on a nightly basis to competitive. Laine immediately made Juraj Slafkovsky look like a much better player.
A great top-six is not necessarily six great hockey players, but two sets of three who when they play together compete at the highest level. The second line’s ability to compete was lifted by a massive margin with Laine alongside Kirby Dach and Slafkovsky.
Laine’s booming shot was immediately also a tool for the power play. Not because he immediately got it away effectively, but that the penalty killers knew they had to contend with two marksmen. Immediately, Cole Caufield had more space as the PK couldn’t just key on him for shots.
That also gave Lane Hutson, who finally got the reigns on the first power play unit, two options to outlet, if he saw Caufield or Laine could shoot. Hutson could also find Nick Suzuki moving into space, or just fire it on goal where Slafkovsky was being a big body.
It was a joyful atmosphere at the Bell Centre in Montreal as Patrik Laine scored in his Canadiens debut as the team beat the New York Islanders 2-1 in overtime.
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