Canadiens’ Samuel Montembeault leaves practice with leg injury

A concerning sight for the Montreal Canadiens, which could lead to a change in personnel between the pipes.

During the team’s practice on Wednesday, goaltender Samuel Montembeault appeared to have hurt his right leg while participating in a drill. While attempting to make a save on a rebound, the 29-year-old awkwardly twisted his right knee and spiraled to the ice in pain.

After a few moments on the ice, Montembeault solemnly skated off the ice at the facility in Brossard and went straight to the locker room. It’s not yet known what the extent of Montembeault’s injury is at this point, but the fact that he put almost no weight on it while heading off the ice and walking off the bench is an unwelcome sight for the Habs.

The Becancour, Que. native hasn’t appeared in a game this season, as Jakub Dobes has started all three contests so far. After Dobes surrendered five goals in back-to-back losses, it seemed Montembeault would get the start Thursday night, when the Canadiens host the Nashville Predators. However, the team might have to call an audible, with many expecting young backstop Jacob Fowler to be called up from the Habs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Laval Rocket.

Montembeault hoped for a bounce-back performance in 2026-27 after losing the starting job to Dobes last year. Montembeault went 10-8-4 in 25 games, posting a 3.43 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage, his worst performance since the 2021-22 campaign, his first in Montreal.

Fowler has already appeared in two games with Laval this year, giving up three goals in two games against the Syracuse Crunch last weekend. He made his NHL debut last season and seemed to be on a path to taking over the No. 2 spot in Montreal after going 9-6-2 in 17 games, posting a 2.43 GAA, a .908 SV% and one shutout.