Sam Montembeault News

Montembault is expected to start for the first time since October 17th, an outing where he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Canadiens have had some inconsistent results this season but have still salvaged a 3-2-1 record despite being outscored 20-18. The Canadiens are -112 home favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has had similar results this season, showcasing an identical 3-2-1 record while being outscored 19-17.

After a strong performance in his first game of the season, the Canadiens will turn to Montembault for his second consecutive start. Montembault is coming off a 28-save, 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Montembault quietly put up a respectable .901 SV% last season for a Canadiens squad that ranked fourth-worth defensively, giving up 3.72 goals per game. If Montembault can string together some more strong performances, he could be in line to take control of the starter's crease in Montreal. The Canadiens are +120 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild team that is expected to be without Matt Boldy for the next several weeks.

Montembeault will make his season debut for the Canadiens on Saturday against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Montembault is coming off the busiest season of his young career which saw him play in 40 games (16-19-3), recording a 3.42 GAA and .901 SV%. Montembault was fantastic in his only matchup against the Blackhawks last season, recording 30 saves in a 3-2 shootout victory.

Montembeault allowed seven goals on 46 shots (.848 SV%) for his third loss in four games as he was defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Canadien goaltenders this season, with his 16-17-3 record, 3.36 GAA and .904 SV%. He takes on the New York Islanders, who have won four of their last seven contests and are 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.94).

Montembeault stopped 47 of 50 shots (.940 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Montreal goaltenders this season, with his 15-16-3 record, 3.29 GAA and .906 SV%. He will take on the Washington Capitals, who have lost four straight and are 20th in the NHL in goals (3.09).

Montembeault stopped 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) for his second-straight win as he beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in his previous start. The 26-year-old has unexpectedly been the better of the two Canadien goaltenders, with his 15-14-3 record, 3.28 GAA and .905 SV%. He takes on the Florida Panthers, who snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 overtime win over Toronto last night.

Montembeault stopped 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) for his second-straight win as he beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in his previous start. The 26-year-old has unexpectedly been the better of the two Canadien goaltenders, with his 15-14-3 record, 3.28 GAA and .905 SV%. He takes on the Florida Panthers, who snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 overtime win over Toronto last night.

Montembeault allowed four goals on 40 shots (.900 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was beaten by the Tampa Bay Lightning his last time between the pipes. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Canadien goaltenders, with his 13-14-3 record, 3.36 GAA and .904 SV%. He will face Tampa Bay yet again, who snapped a three-game winning steak with a 5-2 loss to New Jersey last game.

Montembeault's last start was interesting; he started, was pulled, and then returned to the crease while failing to pick up a decision in a 9-5 loss to Florida while stopping 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%). The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Montreal netminders this season, with his 13-13-3 record, 3.34 GAA and .904 SV%. He will face Tampa Bay, who has won their last two games and are seventh in the NHL in goals-per-game.

Montembeault stopped 39 of 43 shots (.907 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak as he beat Pittsburgh in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Canadien goalies this season, with his 13-13-3 record, 3.31 GAA and .905 SV%. He will take on the Florida Panthers, who snapped a three-game winning streak with a 5-4 overtime loss to Winnipeg last game.

Montembeault stopped 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%) in a relief appearance in his last game, picking up the no-decision as he attempted to stop the bleeding against the Colorado Avalanche. The 26-year-old Canadiens backup has been the better of the two goalies in Montreal, with his 12-13-3 record, .905 SV% and 3.28 GAA. He will face the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won seven of their last nine games and are fifth in the NHL in shots per game (33.9).

Montembeault allowed three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%) for his second-straight loss as Anaheim defeated him in his previous start. The 26-year-old Canadiens' backup has been their better of the two goalies, even though he has a 12-13-2 record and 3.30 GAA and .905 SV% stat line. He takes on the struggling New York Rangers, who have lost six of their last eight games after a 4-2 loss to Boston last game.

Montembeault allowed six goals on 41 shots (.854 SV%) for his third loss in four games as he was crushed by Carolina in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Canadien goaltenders this year, with his 11-11-2 record, 3.29 GAA and .906 SV%. He takes on the New Jersey Devils, who have won two straight games and are fourth in the NHL in shots per game (34.2) and sixth in goals (3.46).