Hidden Game: Canadiens’ Patrik Laine and Nick Suzuki lead OT win against Islanders

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This edition of the Hidden Game is dedicated to the hidden first period between the Canadiens and New York Islanders. The two teams combined for 12 shots — seven from Montreal — and no goals Tuesday night. At times it appeared as though the blind were leading the blind.

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Sartorial splendor: There was no denying Patrick Roy‘s brilliance as a goaltender. Three Vézina Trophies, five Jennings, four Stanley Cups between the Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche and a three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, an NHL record. Roy seemingly saved his best for post-season play, when money players come to play. His 151 playoff wins remain the league leader, while his 551 regular-season victories place him third overall among netminders.

But forget about all that for a moment. Roy was dressed brilliantly on this night, adorned in a matching black blazer, shirt and tie. He easily could have been cast as an extra in Goodfellas — still one of the greatest movies of all time in our humble opinion.

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How do you like him so far?: This night, of course, belonged to Patrik Laine, making his Canadiens regular-season debut following what appeared to be a devastating knee injury sustained during an exhibition game against Toronto. Acquired in an August trade from Columbus, Laine received a rousing ovation when he was announced as part of the starting lineup.

And, after opening the scoring with a power-play goal at 7:23 of the second period, the love affair between Laine and the Bell Centre spectators will only continue to grow — at least until, or if, he goes five games without a point. Nonetheless, scoring in his Montreal debut will only add to the Finnish native’s confidence. His shot release is quick and effortless, and he’s the epitome of a goal-scorer. He was named the game’s first star.

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News you need (Part I): Laine was playing his first regular-season game in 354 days. In his last game, Dec. 14, 2023 with Columbus, he scored against Toronto. That makes him among the hottest Canadiens, now that he’s on a two-game goal streak. And with 57 games remaining, and provided he remains healthy, Laine is on pace for a team-leading 58 goals.

News you need (Part II): Laine becomes the 76th player in Canadiens NHL history to score in his team debut.

News you need (Part III): Laine has now scored as many goals at Kirby Dach. And he’s one goal behind Juraj Slafkovsky.

Another Cy Young candidate: Alex Newhook’s stats line reads 5-0 — the difference between goals and assists. What you might not realize? There are 12 NHL goalies that have at least one assist this season. Calgary netminder Dustin Wolf leads, with two.

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Dumb penalty: In the game’s second minute, Maxim Tsyplakov tripped Lane Hutson in the offensive zone. Not to worry, though. The Canadiens registered only one shot on the ensuing power play.

We’re noticing a trend here: Sunday afternoon in Boston, Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson would have opened the scoring but hit the post midway through the first period. Guess what? In the ninth minute against the Islanders, he beat Ilya Sorokin but couldn’t beat the post. Matheson has scored twice this season.

Takes a licking but keeps on ticking: Brendan Gallagher collided with defenceman Alexander Romanov in the opening period. Gallagher, all of 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, went heavily into the end boards but, as usual, shook it off. Romanov, by the way, is 6-foot-1 and 220.

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Shift of the night: In the 14th minute of the period Josh Anderson, who usually comes to play — especially lately — knocked down Anders Lee before setting up Kaiden Guhle on a breakaway. The defenceman failed to score.

Where’s the blood when you need it?: Hudson Fasching escaped with a minor penalty in the second period after high-sticking Cole Caufield to the mouth.

Good penalty: Arber Xhekaj tripped Brock Nelson at the New York blue line in the second period or the Islanders centre might have had a breakaway.

How do you like him now?: For all those who criticize Samuel Montembeault, he robbed Nelson in alone, made a pad save on Grant Hutton before making a spectacular stick stop on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s rebound, all within a minute or so late in the second period.

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Great moments in officiating: In the final minute of regulation time we went from a double high-sticking minor to Tsyplakov, against Guhle, to no penalty whatsoever after a video replay determined it was Matheson’s stick that caught Guhle’s mouth.

Next time, decline the penalty: The Islanders went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Eight-ball in the corner pocket: Nick Suzuki scored the overtime winner, converting a rebound off Bo Horvat. Suzuki, by the way, has been known to play a little pool on the side.

Quick stats: Xhekaj lead all players with five shots. Jayden Struble blocked four shots. Slafkovsky had six hits. With 31 shots directed at him, Montembeault’s save percentage was .968.

He said it: “I felt awful pretty much the whole game,” Laine quipped. “A little rusty, obviously. Hopefully I’ll get better. I just closed my eyes and hopefully hit the net. It was close and I almost missed, but it was a good enough shot that it went in.

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“That was the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life,” he added of the numerous ovations he was accorded. “I don’t deserve this, not at all. It’ll be something for sure I’ll remember forever. That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Just getting that welcome, even early on when I came here, from the fans and city overall, and coming back to play, it was pretty humbling. I’m just grateful and thankful to be here.”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

x.com/HerbZurkowsky1

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