Habs Daily: Laine Effect, Dach Support, Hutson Record, Amazon

Make sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Monday.

Montreal Canadiens

Sniper Patrik Laine scored his third powerplay goal since returning to play just four games ago, enabling the Canadiens to beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in the shootout. Laine joined Cole Caufield in scoring shootout goals, while Samuel Montembeault was perfect, providing yet another great performance for the Habs since Team Canada announced he’d take part in the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament.

Monday’s game was broadcast on Amazon Prime, part of the new Monday night hockey schedule, and you’d be hard-pressed to say it wasn’t leagues better than most broadcasts. The video editing was great, they provided new angles on a crystal-clear feed, and the analysis was top-notch. [Habs Highlights: Patrik Laine Can’t Stop Scoring Powerplay Goals]

The game also featured yet another assist from rookie Lane Hutson, who set a record Canadiens record in the process with a seven-game points streak. It’s worth noting Hutson has assisted on all three of Laine’s powerplay goals this season.

Lane Hutson collected an assist and established the longest point streak by a rookie defenseman in @CanadiensMTL history. He broke a tie with Glen Harmon (6 GP in 1942-43) and Chris Chelios (6 GP in 1984-85; 2x).#NHLStats: https://t.co/T12R6WRn7N pic.twitter.com/IlCKOlzLYP

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 10, 2024

The goals from Laine have been great, but his impact goes beyond filling the net on the man advantage. Laine was clearly disappointed that the Canadiens were being outplayed, despite his first-period goal, and said as much during the first intermission. The second line, which features Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Kirby Dach were part of that problem, but their play improved significantly as the game unfolded. A little accountability sometimes goes a long way.

Laine was in good spirits once the Canadiens secured the win.

“Most fun I’ve had in years.”

PATRIK LAINE IS HOME. 💙 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Fl6pp5OyLr

— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) December 10, 2024

Kirby Dach scored his second goal of the season after Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal offered up an early Christmas gift. Dach was quick to point to the support from teammates during the difficult start to the season.

“I think you feel the family & the love & the trust we have in each other as teammates & what we are in this locker room, when guys are happy for other guys’ success. It’s real nice of everybody to help me through this stretch I’ve kinda gone through.”

– Kirby Dach tonight pic.twitter.com/llD8H1k6go

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 10, 2024

Former Canadiens minority owner Michal Andlauer is not happy with what appears to be tampering from the New York Rangers, regarding current Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk.

Sens owner Michael Andlauer is not happy about “soft tampering” in light of the rumours last week about Brady Tkachuk and the Rangers.

More from the Insiders at the NHL BOG meetings in Florida: https://t.co/m5cwlo1vai pic.twitter.com/cdTAGjyARS

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 9, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

The Colorado Avalanche have traded goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, forward Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick and a 2026 second-round pick to the San Jose Sharks for goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith and a fifth-round draft pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. [Colorado Avalanche]

When the New Jersey Devils took the ice for practice Monday afternoon, they only had one of their two goaltenders in attendance. [New Jersey Devils]

Dylan Larkin made Sebastian Cossa’s NHL debut one to remember, beating former teammate James Reimer to give the Red Wings a 6-5 win in a shootout at Buffalo. [Detroit Red Wings]