Patrik Laine's future with the Montreal Canadiens is under scrutiny as the team assesses its roster post-playoff experience. Laine, who is earning $8.7 million, has struggled with his role, particularly in five-on-five situations, and has recently been overshadowed by younger talents like Ivan Demidov, who are making a mark in power-play situations. Analysts suggest there's limited market interest for Laine at his current salary, raising questions about his fit moving forward.

The Canadiens are projected to grow significantly, with young players like Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield emerging as stars. Laine's performance has been a polarizing topic; while his attitude is praised, his on-ice contribution has been criticized. With a complex decision looming, Montreal's management must determine whether to let Laine go or show patience with him for another season.

Nick Suzuki is eyeing a place on Team Canada as he prepares for the upcoming World Championships, viewing it also as a potential audition for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Montreal Canadiens captain is currently assessing his fitness after battling injuries during the NHL playoffs.

While Suzuki's participation is uncertain, he has made a significant impact this season, finishing with 89 points, the highest for a Canadiens player in nearly three decades. His performance has positioned him favorably for Olympic consideration, especially after missing last year's World Championships. Meanwhile, teammates like Mike Matheson will represent Canada, while others, including Patrik Laine, are nursing injuries.

The Montreal Canadiens are grappling with a growing injury list as defenceman Alexandre Carrier is now listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. This uncertainty comes just ahead of Game 5 in their NHL first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals, where they trail 3-1. Carrier sustained his injury during Game 4, following a hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson, which resulted in a pivotal tying goal for Washington in what ended up being a 5-2 victory.

Besides Carrier, goaltender Sam Montembeault and winger Patrik Laine are also day-to-day. Laine, however, did return to practice, suggesting a potential return is imminent. The Canadiens will have a challenging task ahead as they aim to bounce back against a storied rival, and the status of these key players could significantly impact their performance.

The Montreal Canadiens are facing injury challenges as they prepare for Game 5 against the Washington Capitals. Defenceman Alexandre Carrier is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury after a collision with Capitals forward Tom Wilson, which contributed to the Canadiens' loss in Game 4. This adds to the Canadiens' injury woes, as goaltender Sam Montembeault and winger Patrik Laine are also day-to-day, with Laine having participated in practice.

Despite these setbacks, forwards Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson, along with defenceman David Savard, are expected to play in Game 5. The Canadiens, currently trailing the Capitals 3-1 in the series, will need to rally their remaining players to turn the tide in this critical matchup.

Patrik Laine has been ruled out of Game 3 of the first-round playoff series against Washington due to an upper-body injury, following a disappointing performance in Game 2. The Canadiens, who are trailing 2-0 in the series, are making adjustments to their lineup, inserting Arber Xhekaj in place of injured players. Laine's recent struggles include a seven-game goalless streak, raising concerns about his contribution in crucial playoff moments.

Montreal's head coach, Martin St. Louis, indicated that evaluations of injured players will be ongoing. Fans are eager to see how the lineup adapts in front of a sold-out Bell Centre crowd, marking the Canadiens' first playoff game at home since 2017. This matchup is pivotal for Montreal as they seek to keep their playoff hopes alive.