The Canadiens won't have Patrik Laine, who hasn't played since New Year's Eve, in their lineup against the Capitals on Friday.

The Montreal Canadiens are currently playing some very strong hockey. They have earned points in 10 of their last 12 games. Looking at this stretch, it is striking to see that the two regular-season losses were against teams that were at the bottom of the standings at the time: the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Montreal Canadiens have been on a roll since the start of December and much of this success can be attributed to Patrik Laine‘s return. Laine was acquired from the Blue Jackets in the offseason in exchange for Jordan Harris.

Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine, who missed the previous four games with an illness, returned to the lineup Saturday, scoring his club's lone goal in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, his ninth power-play tally in just 14 games this season.

However, the Canadiens organization has just provided clarification. The real reason for Patrik Laine's absence at the moment, and why he is not accompanying the team to Washington, is that he is still not at 100%. See what the excellent journalist Eric Engels published.

Getting a healthy Patrik Laine back in the lineup would certainly increase the Canadiens' chances of beating the Capitals. The Finnish forward has missed Montreal's last three games with an illness, leaving time to tell if he'd be healthy enough to make his way to Washington, D.C.

Habs forward Patrik Laine scored his 400th NHL career points in the Montreal Canadiens' 5-3 win over the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday. Laine reached the milestone in his 495th game.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine skated on his own Wednesday morning, but still isn't back to normal amidst flu-like symptoms.

The Habs announced Thursday that Laine will not travel with the team to Washington as they get set for a game against the Capitals on Friday night.

David Savard isn’t the only key piece returning to the Montreal Canadiens lineup as they get set to take on the Dallas Stars. Not long after announcing Savard’s

MONTREAL – Forward Patrik Laine is the Molson Cup recipient for the month of December.

Montreal's Cole Caufield and Mike Matheson both netted one goal and one assist, while Patrik Laine scored a goal to reach the 400-point plateau. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves for the Canadiens, who have won 10 of their last 13 games (10-2-1).