Canadiens Sit Injured Patrik Laine Out for Game 3 Against Capitals

MONTREAL -- Montreal 's Patrik Laine He won’t play in Friday’s Game 3 of the Canadiens’ first-round playoff series against Washington due to an upper-body injury.

Laine was absent from the team's morning practice, and the Canadiens stated they will assess him each day.

After a tough start to Wednesday's game, Laine, who is 27 years old, was replaced at the beginning of the third period as they lost Game 2 with a score of 3-1. Kasperi Kapanen replaced Laine, while defenseman Arber Xhekaj was added to the starting lineup for Jayden Struble .

The Capitals are leading the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Laine, famous for his risky shot, has gone without scoring in his last seven matches.

The Canadiens obtained Laine and a second-round draft pick from the Winnipeg Jets. Columbus Blue Jackets last summer for defenseman Jordan Harris .

After sitting out the initial two months due to a knee injury, Laine managed to score 20 goals, with 15 of those coming during power plays, along with accumulating 13 assists across 52 games this season.

The team has some players dealing with issues, so we'll see how our lineup looks for tonight’s game," said Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis earlier on Friday. "In a series, obviously, adjustments are made throughout different matches; that’s just part of playing a best-of-seven format.

Montreal is welcoming its inaugural playoff match with a full house since 2017. The Canadiens competed without fans or with limited spectators at the Bell Centre when they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021.