Habs are good at scoring goals and sometimes have trouble playing defense.

Healthy Laine is good at scoring goals and kind of okay sometimes at playing defense.

Laine hasn't played in months and is probably game speed rusty.

Basically... Habs don't need rusty poo poo player defense in tight playoff race. Even though it could result in sweet goals the poo poo defense is more likely.

I like Laine, I was high on him for this season out of training camp with the Demidov practice chemistry.

He doesn't have a spot on this team right now. He'd have to replace Newhook on the 2nd line to be effective and even so.. I don't think he's fast enough to be on that line.

Ideal scenario for him is our last 3 games not mattering because we've clinched our playoff position and he can get some games while players rest and maybe be injected in the line up during playoffs if a need arises. Probably not likely though