Martin St-Louis Responds to Patrik Laine's Criticism With a Major Lineup Change
Upon returning from the Four Nations Showdown, changes were announced within the Montreal Canadiens, primarily involving forward Patrik Laine.
We were eager to see what would happen, especially due to a statement from Laine that sparked a lot of discussion at the start of the Four Nations Showdown.
He had stated that it would be nice for him to play "more than 10 or 11 minutes per night," referring to his limited ice time in recent weeks under Martin St-Louis.
This comment caused quite a stir, and St-Louis even responded to Laine's jab straight to the media.
Martin St-Louis Announces a Change Involving Patrik Laine
Would St-Louis give Laine a chance to prove himself by moving him back into the top six?
Would he punish him further?
Would he stick with the status quo?
We now have the answer, it's the first option.
At Canadiens practice yesterday, Laine was (for the first time in a while) moved back into Montreal's top six.
- Anthony Martineau
Let's hope this second line can play up to its high potential because it could truly change everything for the Habs.
Laine also put in some extra work yesterday, as he hasn't recorded a single point in his last eight games with the Canadiens:
Patrik Laine and Joel Armia are both on the ice after returning from the Four Nations Showdown, as is Josh Anderson, who missed the first two practices this week, opting for therapy days instead."
- Stu Cowan
Martin St-Louis' squad is back in action tonight at 7:00 PM, live from Ottawa, to take on Brady Tkachuk and the Senators.
We're eager to see how things will unfold as the final stretch of the season begins.
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531375.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531078.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) stops Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531009.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) stops Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
