Montreal Canadiens News

Montembeault has played in two of five games for the Canadiens since returning from a conditioning stint with Laval (AHL) and has played well, winning both contests and saving 52 of 57 shots (.912 SV%). The Canadiens hope Montembeault can build off his recent success after starting the 2025-26 season with an abysmal 3.35 GAA and .857 SV% in his first 15 games (5-9-1). The Canadiens enter the action on Thursday as slight -104 home underdogs against a Florida Panthers team they defeated 3-2 in overtime less than two weeks ago.

Engstrom has played two of the past five games for the Canadiens, but has been used sparingly and should see more consistent playing time with Laval (AHL). The 22-year-old defenseman is averaging 12:32 time-on-ice and has zero points in 11 games this season.

Fowler is coming off consecutive losses for the second time in his young NHL career, but he was solid in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 21-year-old goalie will look to build on his 2.57 GAA and .903 SV% through his first seven NHL games (3-2-2) when he tends the twine on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames. The Canadiens enter Wednesday's contest as -145 home favorites against a Flames team on a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).

Struble has been a regular for the Canadiens this season, but is coming off a one-game absence after being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old defenseman has five assists in 30 games this season. Adam Engstrom will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Struble's return.

Jayden Struble will draw back into Montreal's lineup on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, sending Engstrom to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Engstrom is averaging 12:29 time-on-ice and has zero points through his first 10 NHL games.

The Canadiens are amid a goalie triangle with Jakub Dobes, Sam Montembeault, and Jacob Fowler, and will turn to Dobes on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 24-year-old Dobes has had a wildly inconsistent season but has put together three consecutive strong games (2-0-1), posting a 1.75 GAA and a .932 SV%. He has a 2.90 GAA and .894 SV% in 20 games this season (12-5-3). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as +149 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has lost four of its last six games (2-3-1).

Struble has been a regular for the Canadiens this season, but heads to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old defenseman has five assists in 30 games this season. Adam Engstrom will draw into the lineup as Struble's replacement.

Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Engstrom to re-enter the lineup against the Florida Panthers. The 22-year-old Engstrom is in his first NHL season and continues his search for his first career point through nine games.

After a rough start to the 2025-26 season with the Canadiens and a brief conditioning stint with the Laval Rocket (AHL), Montembeault returns for his first game with the Habs in three weeks. The 29-year-old goalie has an ugly 3.65 GAA and .857 SV% in 15 games this season (5-6-1). The team hopes the time off will help him return to the form that saw him earn a save percentage above .900 in the previous three seasons.

Fowler has helped his team collect a point in all but one game since making his NHL debut earlier this month (3-1-1) and will return to the crease on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 21-year-old rookie has a 2.40 GAA and .918 SV%, and he dazzled in his last two games (2-0-0), allowing only two goals on 59 combined shots (.966 SV%).

Evans suffered a lower-body injury last Saturday vs. the Penguins and is expected to miss at least one month. The void left by Evans' injury has been filled by Phillip Danault, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings the day before Evans got hurt.