Eric Engels

Canadiens' Laine nervous, excited for long awaited return

Eric Engels

@EricEngels

Eric Engels, born and raised in Montreal, is in his 16th season on the Canadiens beat. He’s a multi-platform Canadiens and NHL Insider who joined Sportsnet in the spring of 2015. In addition to his written work, Engels is featured on Sportsnet radio across the country and contributes regularly to Sportsnet’s regional and national television broadcasts.

Canadiens' trend of beating themselves continues with loss to Bruins

The Canadiens are the second-youngest team in the NHL. This we have acknowledged many times since the season started. But after beating themselves once again on Sunday, the Canadiens did nothing to undo the perception that they’re not just young, they’re bad.

Poor calls in Canadiens-Rangers game reinforce need for officials to face media

Canadiens' Gallagher enjoying renaissance after undergoing game-altering process

At 32, and in his 13th season with the Canadiens, the scrappy Brendan Gallagher not only appears rejuvenated; he looks like he might be more efficient than he’s ever been at this level. Eric Engels explains the changes to the forward's game this season.

Canadiens' Slafkovsky delivers performance to build on in win over Blue Jackets

Slafkovsky's goal came at a pivotal moment of what turned out to be a 4-3 overtime win for his Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.

Canadiens lacking chemistry, confidence as execution sputters in loss to Utah HC

Promotion of Roy, Laine's progress helps St. Louis push buttons in Canadiens' top six

Joshua Roy moved from the Laval Rocket to what appears to be a newly formed second line with Jake Evans and Emil Heineman. Patrik Laine moved closer to a return to the lineup by shedding the non-contact jersey he’s been wearing since last week and rotating with Alex Newhook into line rushes with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.

Canadiens' Dach willing to do the work after hitting rock bottom in loss to Vegas

Things went from bad to worse for Kirby Dach in Saturday's loss to the Golden Knights, but it often goes that way before it gets better. That’s a tough reality for the Canadiens centre to face right now, but at least he isn’t hiding from it.

Canadiens' quarter-mark report: Grades, surprises, concerns

Canadiens' Laine returns to practice, closing in on debut and impacting roster

There was Patrik Laine in a non-contact jersey, back on the ice with his Canadiens teammates for the first time since suffering the severe left-knee sprain that put him in a heavy brace and on crutches for weeks. Eric Engels tells us what it means.