The Patrik Laine experiment must come to an end

Upon his return from injury, Laine excused his shortcomings by scoring goals. He scored 12 times in his first 18 games, before adding just 8 goals in the next 34 games. In his last 17 games, the Finn scored 3 power-play goals.

In fact, the Habs have spent approximately 4 minutes and 25 seconds per game with the man advantage, since December 3. Playing on the first wave, Laine is on the ice for just under 3 minutes per game.

When he scores regularly, his usefulness is obvious. When he loses confidence in his shot and the game seems to constantly die on his stick, a little less so. The Habs have scored just 5 goals on their last 42 power-play opportunities, by the way.

The #92 was so bad in the second period yesterday that Martin St-Louis benched him for the entire third period, and didn’t even send him into the fray at 6-on-5. And he’s the one with the best shot in Montreal, let’s face it …

Benchering a guy in the regular season is already something… But benchering your best natural scorer when you need a goal in the playoffs really says a lot about the situation… which becomes a DISTRACTION!

At 5-on-5, Laine is inconsistent, sluggish, slow and just doesn’t seem interested in playing real field hockey. He has flashes, and that’s normal, because the guy’s talented to begin with. What comes to the surface is a lack of effort, interest and love for the sport.

extension

The experiment must end, for Club de field hockey Canadien’s sake. The shadow of what Patrik Laine was in Winnipeg – a fast, talented, dangerous, committed player – is not positive for the Club, I don’t believe that for a second. Laine isn’t part of the future in Montreal, and if he isn’t, let’s give someone else a chance.

One year was enough.