NHL: New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens (image credit: IMAGN)

Patrik Laine has been through a lot mentally and physically over the last few years. It seemed like the trade that sent him from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Montreal Canadiens in the offseason was the fresh start he needed. The excitement around the former second-overall pick from the 2016 draft was palpable, which made his preseason injury even more devastating.

In Laine’s second game in the preseason, he took a knee-on-knee hit from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare. Bell Centre was silent as he remained down for some time and had to be helped off the ice.

Fortunately for Laine and the Canadiens, the diagnosis was only a knee sprain that would sideline him for 2-3 months.

He spoke about the situation in his appearance on Tuesday’s episode of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast.

“The second, second preseason game, and you know, it was a hard road to, get back to playing, and obviously, with the new team and all that,” Laine said (2:19:05). “So it was definitely not the greatest start, and the start the team and the city was looking for, but just have to do some rehab. And, you know, take all the time off. But now, now it feels great.”

Laine and the Canadiens’ team doctors were worried that the injury was much worse than how it turned out.

“Yeah, that’s probably ACL and MCL, and probably done for the year, but yeah, ended up flying to New York to see a specialist,” Laine said. “And he said, ‘You don’t necessarily need new surgery, and you can just try to rehab it.’ And kind of didn’t promise, but there’s high percentages that it’ll be good, even without surgery. So happy it worked out. You know, I wasn’t happy that I still missed two months. Could have been a lot worse.”

The Canadiens and their fanbase are certainly thrilled to see Laine back on the ice.

Patrik Laine has ignited the Montreal Canadiens’ turnaround

Patrik Laine has made an enormous impact on the Montreal Canadiens since his return. Montreal has gone 12-5-1 with him in the lineup, a complete turnaround from their 8-13-3 start. The Canadiens have caught fire and moved to within two points of a playoff spot.

Laine has racked up 15 points (12 goals, 3 assists) in 18 games, including 10 power-play goals on his patented top of the circles one-timer. He has changed the complexion of the Canadiens’ No. 1 unit.

There’s not much any goaltender can do when Laine has the time and space to get his shot off, with his striking similar to Alexander Ovechkin’s.

Laine and the Habs will look to gain more momentum when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST at Bell Centre.