Just hours after a thrilling overtime victory against the Seattle Kraken, the Montreal Canadiens confirmed that three key players—Patrik Laine, Jake Evans, and Kaiden Guhle—were absent from Wednesday’s morning practice. The official explanation: a “therapy day.” But the timing and the names involved have sparked speculation among fans and analysts alike.
Laine, who delivered a crucial assist on Ivan Demidov’s game-tying goal, was one of the standout performers in the 5–4 win. His absence, along with Evans and Guhle—both praised for their penalty kill efforts—raises questions about the physical toll of the game and whether deeper concerns might be looming beneath the surface.
“Forwards Jake Evans and Patrik Laine as well as defenseman Kaiden Guhle will not participate in today’s practice (therapy day),” the team announced. While therapy days are common in the NHL, especially after high-intensity matchups, the absence of three core players following such a demanding game has fans wondering if the Canadiens are managing fatigue or masking early-season injuries.
Head coach Martin St-Louis has been praised for his proactive approach to player health, and this decision may reflect a long-term strategy to preserve energy and avoid burnout. With the Canadiens set to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday night at the Bell Centre, the team is aiming for a fourth consecutive win to kick off the 2025–26 season.
Still, the optics of Laine missing practice after such a high-impact performance have stirred concern. Is this just smart load management, or a sign that the Canadiens’ stars are already feeling the strain?