Patrik Laine has been very 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 scoring the game-winning goal in Detroit on Friday, Laine looks to stay in shape and help the host Canadiens win two straight sets against the Red Wings on Saturday night.
Laine, acquired by the Canadiens from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade in August, missed Montreal’s first 24 games due to a knee injury. However, in eight games since making his debut with the Canadiens on Dec. 3, he has scored seven goals — remarkably, all on the power play.
In fact, all of Montreal’s power play goals — in 25 opportunities since Dec. 3 — were scored by Laine.
His most recent goal came Friday with 7:58 left in regulation and gave the Canadiens a 4-3 lead. That margin held and Montreal has now reeled off two straight wins after a 1-3-0 skid.
«It’s very important that he scores goals and helps the team win on the power play,» Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. «He’s a big factor in getting the special teams to work well.»
The Canadiens, who are in the midst of a 6-3-1 home stretch, earned just their fourth road win of the season, tied for second-fewest in the NHL.
«It was a really good game for us and it’s a good start for Saturday,» Montreal defenceman Kaiden Guhle said.
Laine, who has scored four goals in the past two games, has 11 goals (two on the power play) plus eight assists in 21 career games against the Reds Wings.
Detroit comes into the end of the home-and-away series on a 3-5-2 run.
On Friday, goals from Patrick Kane, Joe Veleno and Tyler Motte put the Red Wings up 3-2 early in the third period. However, they couldn’t hold on to that advantage in their bid for a third straight win.
Perhaps the good news for Detroit is that it won’t have to wait long for a chance to avenge the loss.
«That’s the best thing about it,» said Red Wings star Dylan Larkin, who was shut out Friday after totaling six points, all assists, in the previous five games.
«We’ve got to take advantage of our opportunities and play with a little more intensity. Minimize our mistakes.»
Kane has scored two goals and tallied two assists in the last three games, after not scoring a point in nine straight games. Meanwhile, teammate Michael Rasmussen has scored two assists on Friday and has tallied four points in the last three games.
Detroit goalie Cam Talbot was credited with 29 saves on Friday and has a 3.89 goals-against average during his current 0-3-1 stretch.
Alex Lyon could start in the back-to-back scenario after allowing 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 he’s likely to score again on Saturday. Canadiens backup Cayden Primeau has allowed 11 goals on 60 shot attempts in his last three games, two of which were starts.
Teammate Jake Evans, who scored a shorthanded goal in his 300th career NHL game on Friday, and has four points in the last four games.