Sidelined by a preseason injury, Patrik Laine’s Montreal Canadiens debut may have come a little later than expected — but it was worth the wait.
Traded to Montreal over the summer after an injury-plagued season in Columbus, where he also entered the NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program, Laine returned to action on Tuesday suiting up against the New York Islanders.
While he admitted to being nervous before his first game in nearly a year, the Finnish sniper looked comfortable on the ice, netting the first goal of the game on the power play with a snipe from the slot.
WELCOME BACK, PATRIK LAINE!! 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/eB119eOQBD
— NHL (@NHL) December 4, 2024
The Bell Centre, unsurprisingly, erupted in cheers when he lit the lamp.
That goal proved to be an important one too as the Canadiens ultimately sealed the deal against New York in overtime, taking the game by a 2-1 margin.
Once the contest wrapped, the 26-year-old got Montreal’s fans back on their feet when he was announced as the game’s first star.
First game as a Hab in Montreal, and he’s the first star.
Huge ovation from the crowd. Laine said “It’s pretty humbling.” pic.twitter.com/n9j0zWINSB
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) December 4, 2024
Although Laine already has nine NHL seasons (and 205 goals) behind him, the reception he got from what he called “the best crowd” in the league is not something he was ready for.
“That was the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard in my life. I don’t deserve this, not at all. But it’ll be something I’ll remember forever,” the 6-foot-4 forward told reporters after the game. “That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”
And while getting the early goal must have felt like a weight off his shoulders, having the fans behind him from the moment he stepped onto the ice was even sweeter.
“Just getting that welcome… It was pretty humbling. I’m just grateful and thankful to be here.”
If he keeps racking up points, perhaps the Canadiens, who find themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings, should be the thankful ones.