Patrik Laine to Miss Two to Three Months

Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine will be sidelined for two to three months due to a knee sprain sustained in a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The injury occurred during a knee-on-knee collision with Cedric Pare, who Laine does not blame for the incident, expressing appreciation for Pare's outreach afterward. Laine, who opted against surgery and will use crutches during his recovery, highlighted that the situation could have been much worse and remains optimistic about returning for the latter half of the season. His absence presents a significant challenge for the Canadiens, who will look to younger players like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook to bolster their offense. Laine's injury is particularly concerning as he was expected to enhance the team's scoring capabilities following his offseason trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canadiens aim to navigate a competitive Atlantic Division without one of their key players for the beginning of the season.