Patrik Laine said the knee sprain that will keep him out of the Montreal Canadiens lineup for 2-3 months “could have been much worse,” and the 26-year-old forward is looking forward to getting back on the ice.

Less than a week after suffering a sprained knee that will keep him out of the Canadiens lineup for at least two-to-three months, Laine discussed the controversial hit that injured him and his decision to forego surgery.

Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine is expected to miss two to three months with a sprained left knee that won’t require surgery.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine will be sidelined for "two to three months" with a left knee sprain, the team announced on Tuesday. The Canadiens

Injured Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine spoke to the media for the first time this morning following his gruesome knee injury suffered earlier in the pre-season. Laine will not undergo surgery and is expected back in the team’s lineup in 2-3 months following what he calls an “unfortunate collision” with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare.