MONTREAL — After a lengthy absence from NHL games, Patrik Laine made a spectacular comeback on Tuesday night. Laine marked his first appearance with the Canadiens by scoring the opening goal in their 2-1 overtime win against the New York Islanders.
Although he had not participated in a regular-season game for nearly a year, Laine’s well-known shooting skills remained intact. The Finnish forward received the puck, swiftly turned, and fired a shot that struck the post before finding the back of the net during a power play, just over seven minutes into the second period.
What happened next was an unforgettable moment for Laine. “That was the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life,” he commented as he was surrounded by teammates and cheered by fans.
After scoring, the crowd erupted into a loud ovation while his goal was announced, and the excitement was palpable when Laine was named the game’s first star. “It’s like, I don’t deserve this, not at all,” he expressed regarding the warm welcome he received. “It’ll be something for sure I’ll remember forever; that was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen, just getting that welcome.” He reflected on how special this moment was, noting that it would compete closely with his very first career goal.
Nick Suzuki contributed the overtime winning goal for the Canadiens, helping to end a two-game losing streak. Goaltender Sam Montembeault also had a solid performance in net, making 30 saves. This victory felt particularly uplifting for the team, which has been struggling at the bottom of the Atlantic Division for the fourth consecutive season.
However, the spotlight was on Laine and his arduous path back to playing hockey. The 26-year-old winger suffered a clavicle injury while with the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 14. He later joined the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on January 28 to address his mental health and had doubts about returning to play.
Cleared for action on July 26, he was then traded to Montreal, which gave him a fresh start. Unfortunately, he was sidelined for the first 24 games of the regular season due to a left knee sprain sustained in a preseason game against Toronto on September 28.
As he stepped back onto the ice on Tuesday, nerves filled him. “I talked with my therapist about this, and I was a little nervous yesterday, and just decided that putting this jersey on today, it’s an achievement after everything,” Laine said. He expressed that no matter the game’s outcome, he wouldn’t let it ruin his spirits given the hard work he had put into getting back on the ice. “It was better than I expected,” he noted.
In his comeback game, Laine also recorded two shots and two hits in 17:27 of ice time, playing on a line with Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky. Despite feeling a bit rusty and “awful pretty much the whole game,” he was welcomed back enthusiastically by the Canadiens.
“We’re all very aware of what he’s been through in the last two, three years,” said Suzuki, reflecting on the uncertainty around Laine’s return during the preseason. “For him to recover and get back and play like he did tonight, it’s really cool to see. It inspired all of us tonight.” He added that the performance was the perfect script for Laine, who is well-versed in scoring from his usual position.
Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis shared his admiration for Laine’s performance, particularly how he integrated into the team’s structure. “You always want to have a start like that,” he remarked with satisfaction. “We’re happy for him. I found he looked at ease to start; you saw his skills right away. I know he’s a guy who’s going to help our power play.” St. Louis emphasized Laine’s ability to command respect on the ice, which allows opportunities for his teammates, thanks to his patience and calculated style of play.
