Patrik Laine takes a hard hit in a preseason duel! What happens when a hockey star collides with a teammate? Spoiler: It's not pretty!
In an electrifying preseason matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs, tensions flared almost immediately, culminating in a grim sight for fans and players alike. Just minutes into the game, star forward Patrik Laine, known for his dynamic playmaking abilities, collided knee-on-knee with teammate Cédric Paré at the blue line. Laine had been relentless, carrying the puck into the offensive zone when disaster struck, forcing him to leave the ice with a visible grimace of pain on his face. As he was helped off, the arena went silent, holding its collective breath for the fate of the beloved player.
Of course, when injuries happen, there's often some drama that follows. In true hockey fashion, the incident sparked emotions, leading to a hit from Arber Xhekaj who retaliated against the Maple Leafs. Why did he lose his cool, you ask? It seems in the spirit of protecting his teammates, Xhekaj showed that nothing would come between him and the team’s well-being, even if it meant landing himself a one-way ticket to the penalty box on a game ejection. Talk about a chaotic first period!
The Canadiens, already adjusting to their lineup this season, have now faced a major setback with Laine’s untimely exit. Known for his prowess on the ice, Laine had a challenging previous season with the Blue Jackets, scoring only six goals and accumulating nine points in 18 games. Fans were looking forward to seeing how he could bounce back this year with high hopes for a rejuvenated performance, making this injury feel all the more disheartening.
As the season heats up, the fears are that his current injury might not be just a minor setback. Let's hope for a speedy recovery! The Canucks will surely miss Laine's contributions, not only for his skill set but also for the unique charisma he brings to the ice. Hockey is not just about goals and assists; it’s about the thrill, the hustle, and the camaraderie among players.
Fun Fact: The last time a player left a preseason game in such dramatic fashion, it coincided with a surge of playoff tickets being sold. It’s as if fans thought a little injury would somehow intensify their team's resolve! Meanwhile, Laine is not only a phenomenal player on the ice; he’s also known for his impressive slapshot, which has a recorded speed of over 100 mph! Talk about a double impact as Laine’s precision is matched only by his love for the game.
Just minutes into Saturday's pre-season game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrik Laine was injured after carrying the puck into the offensive zone on the ...
Early ugly plays from the Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs game left Laine injured and Xhekaj kicked out of the game.
Laine had to be helped off the ice and couldn't put any weight on his left leg after knee-on-knee collision with Cédric Paré at blue line.
Laine had six goals and nine points in 18 games last season with the Blue Jackets.
Patrik Laine left Saturday's game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs after a knee injury.