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.

Patrik Laine's absence from the Canadiens' morning skate raises eyebrows as Montreal preps for Game 3 against the Capitals, trailing 2-0 in the series. The 27-year-old forward was benched by head coach Martin St. Louis for the entirety of the third period in Game 2, where he recorded just one assist and a minus-2 rating through the first two games. Laine, who had a solid season with 33 points from 20 goals and 13 assists in 52 games, faces pressure to perform as he has been a prolific scorer throughout his career.

Laine's journey has seen him transition from the Winnipeg Jets to the Columbus Blue Jackets and now to the Canadiens. His track record, including being a seven-time 20-goal scorer and the second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, underscores the expectations surrounding him. With the series on the line, his ability to rebound from recent struggles is crucial for Montreal's playoff hopes.

Martin St. Louis, head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, is set to make pivotal lineup decisions after winger Patrik Laine missed the morning skate prior to Game 3 against the Washington Capitals. Laine, who has struggled with a scoring drought, particularly after being benched in the third period of Game 2, is crucial to the Canadiens' playoff hopes. His absence raises questions about the team’s offensive strategies as they trail 2-0 in the series.

Laine, Montreal's highest-paid player, has not scored in seven games, raising concerns over his impact this postseason. If he is unable to play, forwards Oliver Kapanen and Michael Pezzetta may step in. Meanwhile, the Capitals could welcome back Aliaksei Protas, who adds significant depth and scoring potential after missing previous games due to injury. The stakes are high for both teams as they navigate crucial playoff adjustments.