MONTREAL (AP) — Montreal's Patrik Laine is out for Friday's Game 3 of the Canadiens' first-round playoff series against Washington due to an upper-body injury.
Laine missed the team's morning skate, and the Canadiens said he will be evaluated daily.
Laine's absence comes after coach Martin St. Louis benched the 27-year-old winger for the third period of Wednesday’s Game 2 3-1 loss after a difficult first two periods for the Finnish forward.
Kasperi Kapanen replaced Laine, while defenseman Arber Xhekaj was inserted into the lineup for Jayden Struble.
The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.