Patrik Laine Out 2-3 Months with Injury

Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain, expected to sideline him for two to three months without the need for surgery. The injury occurred during a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs when Laine was hit by Cedric Pare, leading to his immediate exit from the match. Laine's absence will significantly impact the Canadiens as he is projected to miss between 20 to 40 games of the regular season. This injury comes after a challenging last season where he played only 18 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets due to various injuries and personal challenges. Laine was acquired by the Canadiens in August, marking another chapter in his career after being selected second overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Additionally, teammate David Reinbacher is set to miss five to six months following knee surgery from a separate incident in the same game.