Montreal Canadiens News

Samuel Montembeault's disastrous 2025-26 season, which led to a demotion to the AHL, thrust Fowler into some NHL action, but Montembeault started the 2026-27 season with the Canadiens, resulting in Fowler playing with Laval (AHL). That said, an early-season injury to Montembeault has given Fowler an NHL opportunity, and he will tend the twine for the first time this season on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 21-year-old Fowler played well last season in his NHL debut, posting a 2.43 GAA and .908 SV% in 17 games (9-6-2). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -171 home favourites.

Montembeault did not finish practice on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury, but the team has not yet provided an update on his status. The 29-year-old goalie fell out of favour in Montreal last season and spent time in the AHL, but he has started the 2026-27 season in the NHL as Jakub Dobes' backup. If Montembeault misses any time, expect the Canadiens to recall Jacob Fowler from Laval (AHL).

After a breakout 2025-26 season that continued into an impressive postseason run, Dobes has struggled early in the 2026-27 season. Through two games, the 25-year-old Czech goalie has allowed eight goals on 58 shots (.862 SV%) while posting a 1-0-1 record. Montreal's dominant offence has bailed Dobes out so far, but he will need to be better on Tuesday when he tends the twine against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canadiens enter the action as slight +106 home underdogs.

With Ivan Demidov (lower body) expected to miss the next two to four weeks, Xhekaj will draw into the lineup for his season debut on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old Xhekaj made his NHL debut last season, tallying one assist, seven penalty minutes, and nine hits in five games with Montreal.

Demidov missed some time during training camp battling through a foot injury, but was able to suit up on time for Montreal's season opener. Now, the talented 20-year-old forward will return to the sidelines for two to four weeks, but it's unclear if the ailment is related to his previous one. Demidov has two points (1G / 1A) in two games this season.

The Canadiens called Demidov day-to-day but he will be in the lineup for their season opener in Toronto. Demidov had 19 goals and 43 assists (62 points) in 82 games during his rookie season and is a popular breakout pick for 2026-27.

For the first time in his young career, Jakub Dobes will be Montreal's opening night starter as they take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Tuesday. Dobes is coming off an impressive second season in which he won 69% of his starts, posting a 29-10-4 record, 2.78 GAA and .901 SV% in 42 starts. He will take on the Maple Leafs on the road Tuesday, who have a whole new-looking roster entering the 2026-27 season, including Darren Raddysh, Gavin McKenna and potentially Kirill Marchenko.

A day before the Canadiens open their regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kapanen has been listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old Swedish forward is coming off a solid rookie season in 2025-26, scoring 37 points (22G / 15A) in 82 games.

Guhle, who has missed 70 games over the last two seasons, will miss at least the first 7-to-10 games of the 2026-27 season after undergoing surgery on his adductor muscle in the summer. This opens the door for one of David Reinbacher, Adam Engstrom or Arber Xhekaj to play as the Canadiens' No.6 defenseman to open the season.

The Canadiens acquired Pastujov from the Ducks in late-July and signed him to a one-year, two-way deal. The 23-year-old winger was a third-round pick in 2021 and has spent the last three seasons with the San Diego Gulls (AHL). In 2025-26, he led the team with 57 points (21G / 36A) in 71 games. Expect him to report to Laval (AHL) to begin the 2026-27 season.

Source:

2026-08-14T13:12:27.211Z