Patrik Laine's return from the flu

The Montreal Canadiens welcomed Patrick Laine back to the lineup after the Finn missed the last four games with the flu.

Laine must have been dying for a power play, because as soon as the Canadiens drew a penalty he was ready. Nick Suzuki made a nice pass to Lane Hutson, who slid a feed over to Laine, who is automatic from his spot. Laine blasted the puck into the net and added his ninth goal in 14 games.

Hutson and Suzuki continued personal point streaks, Hutson is up to 32 and Suzuki 43 through 42 games. On the night that Laine was recognized for his strong play in December (eight goals and two assists in 13 games), with the Molson Cup, he continued his scoring ways. At this point, Laine must be paying Suzuki and Hutson with endless steak dinners.

It was encouraging to have Laine back for many reasons, but especially because Michael Pezzetta doesn't shoot the puck like Laine. Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook have been playing some of their best hockey, and Laine only elevates the line. The three playing well gives the Habs a fighting chance for the playoffs, as the Habs have two scoring lines.

Montreal can score goals, but adding a natural shooter to the roster, to accompany Cole Caufield is crucial. A pure shooter takes the pressure off the team, and having two of them ensures that the Habs have more high-danger chances. Being able to screen the goalie with Juraj Slafkovsky or Kirby Dach, the shooters' odds are higher.

Despite being out of the lineup, Laine returned and didn't look gassed or out of place. It's truly amazing how athletes' bodies handle colds and the flu. Most would be gassed from a morning stroll after the flu, but Laine looked engaged, well-positioned and constantly moving his feet.

The fourth line has been a revelation

Emil Heineman, Joel Armia and Jake Evans - this is the trio that forms the Canadiens fourth line, and these guys aren't fun to play against. Each player brings their approach, but they play a quick and heavy game, and they are heavy on their sticks. Playing in the corners against the Habs' fourth line must be exhausting because they constantly hound pucks and throw hits.

Evans presents the lines' speed, though Heineman isn't slow, and Armia isn't the fastest, but he gets to the areas he needs to be successful. Armia plays the puck protection and a strong cycle game, and he seems to have a knack for odd-man rushes. Heineman, meanwhile is the physical part of the line, throwing hits to disrupt the opposition and skating hard to create in the offensive zone.

The trio can be relied on to secure a win late in the game or preserve a point after a hard-fought 58-59 minutes. If Marty wants to close out a game, or kill penalties, generally Evans and Armia will be on the ice. As for Heineman, while it's just his rookie year, he could have a future on the penalty kill also.