The 28th-ranked Montreal Canadiens faced off against the 30th-ranked Anaheim Ducks in a thrilling game that went the distance. The Canadiens featured a rejuvenated lineup bolstered by an impactful Patrik Laine, who has been outstanding since returning from injury.
Both teams are in similar stages of their rebuilds, boasting an abundance of young talent on the cusp of reaching their primes. While the Canadiens emerged victorious with a 3-2 shootout win, the game was a glimpse into the bright futures of both franchises.
It wasn’t just a win for Montreal—it was an experience for fans, who were treated to a hard-fought battle filled with promise and excitement.
Troy Terry Double-Dipped
Both of the Ducks goals came off of the stick of Troy Terry. He is known as one of the best players on his team, and he showed it tonight. He scored in both the first and second periods; his second of the night came on the power play.
Despite a strong effort, the Ducks fell just short, losing in the shootout. Terry had a crucial opportunity to keep Anaheim’s hopes alive when he took his turn in the shootout with the team already trailing 2-0. A goal would have extended the contest, but unfortunately, he was unable to convert, sealing the Ducks’ fate in the tightly contested game.
Laine’s On Fire
When players get injured early in the season but return on fire, I wonder how impressive their year could have been without the setback. That’s exactly how I feel about Patrik Laine right now. He looks like a completely different player with the Canadiens—confident, comfortable, and, most importantly, healthy.
Since returning from his knee injury, Laine has been red hot, and it’s showing in his performance. He found the back of the net again tonight, marking his third goal in four games with his new team. It’s clear he’s making a significant impact in Montreal.
Tonight’s goal came just 2:36 into the first period. The goal came on the power play and was assisted by Lane Hutson. This is something that Habs fans will be hearing for the next few years at least. Laine also collected an assist on the Canadiens’ second goal, which was scored by Kirby Dach. It was a strange goal with clear miscommunication between Ducks’ goaltender Lukas Dostal and his defensemen. Dostal simply left the puck for Slafkovsky, who passed it to a wide-open Dach. It was a strange way for Dach to end a 19-game goalless drought, but he’ll take it.
To top off a great night by Laine, he shot first in the shootout for the Canadiens, and he was again able to get the puck past the goalie.
All in all, the game was fun to watch. But most of all, it is awesome to see Laine back and healthy again. It looks like he is once again enjoying hockey.
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