Patrik Laine Could Be the Canadiens’ Playoff X-Factor
Patrik Laine is a player I’ve been waiting to see play this season. It was only last January that he came back from an injury and put up huge power-play numbers. When he's actually playing healthy in a Montreal Canadiens jersey, he looks like an elite scorer.
He’s been out since September with a sports hernia that was supposed to be three or four months. Perhaps there's some chance for the Canadiens to bring him back, but is there some hesitancy? But now, with the season winding down, the Canadiens have to figure out what to do with him.
Perhaps, the Canadiens will let him sit. Still, I can't help but think he could become a serious X-factor if the team uses him right.
Can the Canadiens Leverage Laine's Elite Shot in the Postseason?
The fact is that Laine is a scorer. Not just a scorer—he’s one of those guys who can catch a goalie napping from 40 feet and make him look foolish. He’s dangerous on the power play, lethal if you give him space, and if you feed him the puck right, he’s going to make something happen. The Canadiens don’t need him to play 20 minutes a night; they need him in the right spots, firing pucks at the net.
That’s where Phillip Danault comes in. You pair Laine with him, and suddenly he’s got a centre who can cover his defensive mistakes and, more importantly, lay the puck into his wheelhouse. Laine hasn’t really had that in Montreal. Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, or Jake Evans simply can't get him consistently clean looks. With Danault, he gets someone who can actually set him up for chances at 5-on-5.
Perhaps Laine Won't Get Big Minutes, Except with the Man Advantage
Laine probably won’t break into the top line right away. Maybe he slots in on a third or fourth line with Anderson or even takes a night off from Gallagher’s line here and there. That’s okay. Gallagher needs rest, and Laine needs ice. And if he’s healthy and clicking, he could shift things around.
Maybe Zack Bolduc gets bumped, maybe lines shuffle. Whatever happens, the Canadiens need Laine to do what he does best: shoot, score, and make life miserable for the other team in their own defensive zone.
During the Playoffs, a Hot Scorer Like Laine Can Turn a Game
Come playoff time, Laine is just the kind of guy you want lurking in the corners. He’s not a captain, not a workhorse, but if he gets hot, he can swing a series. Wouldn't it be something if the Canadiens got to the postseason, and Laine finally found his groove?
A few lasers from him, and any goalie’s job just got a lot harder.