However, the Canadiens organization has just provided clarification. The real reason for Patrik Laine's absence at the moment, and why he is not accompanying the team to Washington, is that he is still not at 100%. See what the excellent journalist Eric Engels published.

The Montreal Canadiens are currently playing some very strong hockey. They have earned points in 10 of their last 12 games. Looking at this stretch, it is striking to see that the two regular-season losses were against teams that were at the bottom of the standings at the time: the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Canadiens won't have Patrik Laine, who hasn't played since New Year's Eve, in their lineup against the Capitals on Friday.

Canadiens forward Patrik Laine, who missed the previous four games with an illness, returned to the lineup and scored his club's lone goal in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Stars. It was his ninth power-play tally in just 14 games this season.

The Montreal Canadiens will look to keep building momentum when they head out on the road to face the Washington Capitals on Friday. Martin St. Louis' team is one of the hottest in the NHL at the moment.

Kirby Dach scored twice while Lane Hutson, who leads all rookies in points, recorded his first three-assist game to pace the Montreal Canadiens to a 5-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday in Salt Lake City.

Habs forward Patrik Laine scored his 400th NHL career points in the Montreal Canadiens' 5-3 win over the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday. Laine reached the milestone in his 495th game.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine skated on his own Wednesday morning, but still isn't back to normal amidst flu-like symptoms.

Laine will miss his fourth-straight game when the Habs travel to Washington, and with the Canadiens surging, you have to think his impact when he rejoins the te

The Habs announced Thursday that Laine will not travel with the team to Washington as they get set for a game against the Capitals on Friday night.

Montreal's Cole Caufield and Mike Matheson both netted one goal and one assist, while Patrik Laine scored a goal to reach the 400-point plateau. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves for the Canadiens, who have won 10 of their last 13 games (10-2-1).

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Kirby Dach scored twice and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Utah Hockey Club 5-3 on Tuesday night. Mike Matheson, Patrik Laine and Cole Caufield also scored for Montreal, which has won eight of its last 10.