Patrik Laine has been mighty productive, especially on the power play, since joining the Montreal Canadiens. He also remains particularly effective against the Detroit Red Wings during his career.
After notching the game-winner at Detroit on Friday, Laine looks to stay hot and help the host Canadiens sweep a back-to-back set against the Red Wings on Saturday night.
Laine, acquired by the Canadiens from the Columbus Blue Jackets in an August trade, missed Montreal’s first 24 games due to a knee injury. However, in eight games since making his Canadiens debut Dec. 3, he has totaled seven goals — remarkably, all on the power play.
In fact, all of Montreal’s power-play goals, in 25 chances since Dec. 3, have been scored by Laine.
His most recent goal came with 7:58 left in regulation on Friday and gave the Canadiens a 4-3 lead. That margin stood, and Montreal has now posted back-to-back victories following a 1-3-0 stretch.
“Him scoring goals and helping the team win on the power play is big,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “It’s a big part of when your special teams are running good.”
The Canadiens, who are amid a 6-3-1 stretch at home, earned just their fourth road win of the season, tied for second fewest in the NHL.
“A really good one for us, and turn the page for (Saturday),” Montreal defenseman Kaiden Guhle said.
Laine, who has scored four goals in the past two contests, has 11 goals (two on the power play) plus eight assists in 21 career games vs. the Reds Wings.
Detroit enters the back end of the home-and-home amid a 3-5-2 stretch.
On Friday, goals from Patrick Kane, Joe Veleno and Tyler Motte had the Red Wings up 3-2 early in the third period. However, they could not hold that advantage in their bid for a third consecutive victory.
Perhaps the good news for Detroit is that it does not have long to wait for a chance to avenge the defeat.
“That’s the best part about it,” said Red Wings star Dylan Larkin, who was blanked Friday after totaling six points, all assists, in the previous five games.
“We’ve just got to capitalize on our chances and play with a little more intensity. Minimize our mistakes.”
Kane has two goals with two assists in the past three games after going nine straight without a point. Meanwhile, teammate Michael Rasmussen had two assists Friday, and he has four points in the past three games.
Detroit goalie Cam Talbot was credited with 29 saves on Friday, and he has a 3.89 goals-against average during his current 0-3-1 stretch.
Alex Lyon could get the start in the back-to-back scenario after he allowed four goals on 19 shots faced during a 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in his return from missing nine games with a lower-body injury.
Montreal’s Sam Montembeault (2.93 GAA) made 25 saves to win his second straight start on Friday, and it’s possible he could be in net again on Saturday. Canadiens backup Cayden Primeau has allowed 11 goals on 60 shot attempts in his past three outings — two of which were starts.
Teammate Jake Evans, who scored a short-handed goal in his 300th career NHL game on Friday, and has four points in the past four contests.
–Field Level Media
