Patrik Laine is set to make his regular-season debut with the Montreal Canadiens on December 3, 2024, after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for two months.

The Canadiens have officially removed Laine from long-term injured reserve, allowing him to participate in the game against the New York Islanders.

Laine's injury stemmed from a knee-on-knee collision with Cedric Pare of the Toronto Maple Leafs during a preseason game in September, which required a recovery period of two to three months.

Before his injury, Laine faced challenges in the previous season, playing only 18 games due to a clavicle injury and time spent in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Montreal acquired Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets in August, along with a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft, in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris.

Despite his injury history, Laine had previously performed well in Columbus, averaging a point per game over two seasons from 2021 to 2023.

During the morning skate, Laine practiced on the second line alongside teammates Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky.

Laine expressed excitement about returning to play in front of Canadiens fans at the Bell Centre, highlighting the energy of the crowd.

He acknowledged the support from the Montreal community and coaching staff during his recovery, expressing gratitude for their efforts to keep him involved with the team.

Laine's debut marks nearly a year since his last regular-season game, underscoring his ongoing struggles with injuries since being drafted second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016.

Adding to the significance of the game, former Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy will be coaching the New York Islanders on the same night.