MONTREAL — Patrik Laine recorded his first hat-trick with Canadians from Montrealand his club extended the Buffalo Sabers’ winless streak to 11 games, including 6-1 victory on Tuesday evening.
Juraj Sławkowski, Joel Army AND Josh Anderson also scored a goal for Montreal and Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki AND Lane Hutson provided two assists each and Sam Montembeault stopped 20 shots.
Laine, who made his debut in Montreal earlier this month, had a long road ahead of him. He missed the first two months of the season with a knee injury after an off-season exchange with Liverpool Blue Columbus jackets in August at Laine’s request.
“He worked hard, came to the rink every day and tried to get better,” Montreal captain Suzuki said of Laine. “He did the right thing over and over again and I’m glad he was rewarded.”
In September, Laine was skating during his second preseason game for Montreal when his knee collided with Toronto maple leaves forward Cedric Pare. Although Laine said at the time that the injury “could have been much more serious,” it still prepared him for a long rehabilitation.
Laine, 26, played in just 18 games last season while recovering from a broken collarbone, then participated in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program from January to July.
Since then, he has struggled with an injury in almost every season Winnipeg planes selected him second overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Despite this history, Laine made the most of his time in Columbus, averaging a point per game over the two seasons 2021-2023.
However, his start with the Canadiens was strong. He now has six goals, all three of which came on power plays Tuesday night. It was his eleventh career hat-trick and, despite Laine not playing at the start of the season, he already ranks fourth on the team in goals.
“Great passes,” Laine said of what his teammates feed him on the power play. “It looks like they found me, and you need to be open. Today was my turn.”
Montreal coach Martin St. Louis, was a bit more complimentary.
“We talked about passion [for the game] I think I found the answer to that question this morning,” St. said. Louis when asked about Laine’s enthusiasm about playing for the Canadiens. “When a player has that love and passion, he will work much harder at it. . They are going to be involved in everything.”
Dylan Cozens scored for struggling Buffalo and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 15 saves on 21 shots. Backup James Reimer he stopped all six shots he faced after entering to start the third.
The loss came a day after Sabers owner Terry Pegula flew to Montreal for a team meeting.
Army scored just 19 seconds into the game, taking advantage of a wide open net from a Sabers defender Owen Power He hit the puck wrongly off the end boards.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
