Player Discussion Patrik Laine: ruining the tank

[Shred]

Those 7 shots on goal was all because of the pent-up rage that Laine feels for Winnipeg. Next game is against Buffalo and Laine has historically been terrible against Buffalo, expect the usual 1-2 shots on goal and 0+0...

Imagine reading this post on Tuesday

 

[GHJimmy]

Laine's our guy, hard to believe that sometimes

 

[ReHabs]

Makes no sense for the Media and Fans to get all frustrated when 99% of us didn't think we would make the playoffs. In fact, I rather be bottom 5 than have a pick from 12-15.

Just because you’d prefer to see a crap season doesn’t mean the “Media and Fans” were wrong for wanting to see progress even if it fell short of a playoff appearance.

The draft pick rank is a secondary concern for a lot of people including me. Progress would’ve meant more, so naturally it’s disappointing to not see any progress among many of the young players.

Laine’s presence is a bit of a game-changer because his shot is so lethal it’ll open up space as opponents try to manage their risks. It goes to show that we do need more elite talent but we also need our current players to be more dangerous and dynamic too, to take advantage of this opened up opportunity.

I see Slafkvosky benefiting a lot due to his pass-first instincts— he will either start to shoot more or he’ll dish the puck to Laine. All options are good.

 

[Kimota]

Was that before or after you knew Laine was 26?

Come on, the guy cannot be 26. He looks 62 minimum.

 

[The Great Weal]

Gotta like how he said he had an average game outside the PP.

 

[Marioesque]

Gotta like how he said he had an average game outside the PP.

He wasn't wrong. He knows he can create more offense 5 on 5. But realistically for that he would need to play in the 1st to have more impact. The 2nd line isn't going to get the best out of him in it's current form.

He did give Newhook a 1 on 1 with the goalie and they created that post shot that looked like goal, so it was alright, but he knows he can do a lot more with players who can create more space and time for him, and also finish his plays. Instead of being the only offensively creative player in his line.

 

[ewfwgfwahbger]

You can kinda see that Laine is the most talented player on the team and how a true 2nd overall can play. He's a sniper. It's basic asf. Yet our 1st overall and Kirby is so far from this guy. Just a sniper.

 

[Zalos]

Laine is very hot and cold. He's hot right now. Be prepared for when he's not.

Also, the tank isn't being ruined. They'll still finish in the bottom five. There's no way Nashville, Detroit, and Buffalo stay down here with us.

 

[BB88]

Laine is very hot and cold. He's hot right now. Be prepared for when he's not.

Also, the tank isn't being ruined. They'll still finish in the bottom five. There's no way Nashville, Detroit, and Buffalo stay down here with us.

One thing that’s key to help him become a more consistent player is upgrading that 2C position

He never had a legit C to play with in Columbus and Dach has to be the worst 2C in the league this season

Get someone to help drive the play more and Laine be the ultimate complimentary player

Anyways upgrading that C group is a must for Montreal, that’s the biggest thing holding them back

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

Laine is very hot and cold. He's hot right now. Be prepared for when he's not.

The intense mental work he has gone through the past year could actually really help with that. We'll see, but if he stays physically healthy, I think there's a good chance we'll see a more consistent version of Laine than ever before.

 

[Keduzin]

Still got it (THE shot) ! Now waiting for the rust to wear off and the way he seems to enjoy the game again you guys have only seen the tip off the iceberg what he can do on the ice. Montreal+Laine = match made in heaven ?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He wasn't wrong. He knows he can create more offense 5 on 5. But realistically for that he would need to play in the 1st to have more impact. The 2nd line isn't going to get the best out of him in it's current form.

He did give Newhook a 1 on 1 with the goalie and they created that post shot that looked like goal, so it was alright, but he knows he can do a lot more with players who can create more space and time for him, and also finish his plays. Instead of being the only offensively creative player in his line.

It will be a while before he can contribute 5 on 5. He’s recovering from a tough injury. He’s also on a line with a struggling center.

Even if he just works as a PP specificalist though, it’s all good for now.

 

[Hope Of Glory]

Marc Denis: You're the first player in Habs history to score his first 6 goals for the team on the powerplay.

Patrik Laine: Yeah I'd like to score on 5 on 5 too

Lmfao

 

[Ezpz]

About to pass Matthews in goals.

 

[angusyoung]

Been keeping an eye on the Habs and PL, what can you say about him, should call him Dominos, cause he delivers. Happy for him seeing him get off to a good start and for the fans that have something to cheer about.

Everything I was told about hockey all my life and PL is proving it wrong. They said if you can't skate you can't be productive in the NHL. Why skate when you can just stand there and blast that puck into oblivion, works for me.

How is his even strength game? from what little I've seen, a tad rusty comes to mind, so much so I got a tetanus shot after watching. Just kidding, lighten up everybody,doesn't anyone have a sense of humor anymore? or has everybody found sobriety? I know I sure haven't.

 

[BB88]

It will be a while before he can contribute 5 on 5. He’s recovering from a tough injury. He’s also on a line with a struggling center.

Even if he just works as a PP specificalist though, it’s all good for now.

He also didn’t just got injured in the pre season but missed a full year of hockey and the pre season when he should have gotten back to shape

So he’s had very few hard skating sessions over the last year so of course that alone is going to take some time, to get back to playing shape

 

[nippanappa]

Speechless after those shots

You gotta give credit to Montreal powerplay setup again, it's the first powerplay to try to fully benefit from this monster of a shot (even better than Winnipeg imo). They keep looking for him after all passing plays and connecting really well. Shoutout to Caufield especially, which still seems to be happy for every goal the Habs score, even though his personal goal totals have gone down. He is also important on the powerplay, when teams eventually start overplaying on Laine.

Hockey is a team sport and Laine have to bring the compete level to 5-on-5 but it's a juicy thought that I've had since him entering to NHL to have him play with two elite guys that can drive play and just feed the puck to him. You can't deny his effectiveness when he gets time to shoot. Very unique player.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Happy for him, I was worried the pressure of Montreal might be the last thing he needed but getting paid to take him made it a worthwhile trial marriage.

So far we are giving him what he needs to love hockey again and he is giving us goal scoring prowess we haven't seen in decades. All respect to Caufield but Laine is a special tier shooter.

 

[Goalfield13]

Happy for him, I was worried the pressure of Montreal might be the last thing he needed but getting paid to take him made it a worthwhile trial marriage.

So far we are giving him what he needs to love hockey again and he is giving us goal scoring prowess we haven't seen in decades. All respect to Caufield but Laine is a special tier shooter.

PP1 works so well because Caufield and Suzuki are there as secondary threats, and all of Caufield, Suzuki, Slaf and Hutson are great passers. He has it great there. Now, they just need to find proper players for him 5 on 5.

 

[BB88]

Happy for him, I was worried the pressure of Montreal might be the last thing he needed but getting paid to take him made it a worthwhile trial marriage.

So far we are giving him what he needs to love hockey again and he is giving us goal scoring prowess we haven't seen in decades. All respect to Caufield but Laine is a special tier shooter.

This pp set up is something Laine has always been missing

Hutson is nee age Dman who has top tier IQ and will make the plays for Laine and will want to make the plays for Laine, Suzuki seems the be the perfect 3rd wheel to make it work as well to go along with the 2

For some reason in the past he has spend way too much time on the right side on the pp, Montreal just seems him like Ovy and like their set up is determined to get the max out of that shot

Laine, Hutson, Demidov, Suzuki pp is going to be unfair

 

[red devil]

 

[sampollock]

So far? There’s no so far. He is worth every single penny.

again KH did a great trade plus a 2nd

Laine's our guy, hard to believe that sometimes

and posters said no and that clown Engels Fat Tony called him our yesterday on that too. funny

 

[Redux91]

Yeah.
Obviously loves it here
Get to work on the extension Hughes
This guy ain't going anywhere
This is the place he's been looking for all his hockey life.

 

[417]

Happy for him, I was worried the pressure of Montreal might be the last thing he needed but getting paid to take him made it a worthwhile trial marriage.

So far we are giving him what he needs to love hockey again and he is giving us goal scoring prowess we haven't seen in decades. All respect to Caufield but Laine is a special tier shooter.

Laine's shot is more like a sledgehammer...Caufield's more like a scalpel.

Both get results depending on what you need lol

 

[sampollock]

“I think overall, at least for me, it was a pretty average game.

If you ignore the goals, I’ve had a million better games than that and I didn’t score a goal.

On the power play, the puck went in.

Other than that, I would say it was a pretty average performance for me today...” - Patrik Laine