Canadiens' Patrik Laine expected to be out 2-3 months with knee sprain

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine is expected to be out for the next two-to-three months.

The Canadiens confirmed Laine has suffered a sprained left knee but will not require surgery.

During Saturday's pre-season game, Laine was injured on a knee-on-knee collision with the Maple Leafs’ Cedric Pare. Laine was slow to get up and was visibly frustrated as he was helped down the tunnel into the locker room.

"It's a fast game, it wasn't my intention," Pare said when asked about the hit after the game. "It's unfortunate, I hope he's fine."

Laine stayed down on the ice after the contact, clutching his knee as a team trainer attended to him. He then had to be helped off the ice by two teammates, keeping pressure off his left leg. As he made his way to the locker room, the star forward was also seen throwing off his helmet and gloves in frustration.

The injury is a shock to the Canadiens, who acquired Laine in a trade with the Blue Jackets this summer to spark depth scoring. With Laine out, the offence will need to come from younger players, including Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, who were set to be linemates with Laine.

Laine scored six goals and nine points in 18 games for Columbus last season. He was kept off the ice after breaking his clavicle in December, then spent six months in NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to address his mental health issues.

Earlier Tuesday, the Canadiens learned that defenceman David Reinbacher will be out for five-to-six months after undergoing surgery on his left knee. The 2023 fifth-overall pick suffered his injury in the same context as Laine.