The Montreal Canadiens suddenly face some questions in the crease. News emerged today that Habs goalie Sam Montembeault is out after suffering an injury in Friday night’s 6-3 victory to the Washington Capitals. Montembeault was replaced by Jakub Dobes after leaving Friday’s game. In his absence of tonight’s first round 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 4 matchup between the Caps and Habs, they called up Cayden Primeau from the AHL’s Laval Rocket. At this time the injury for Monty is simply listed day-to-day.
Montreal Canadiens Crease Faces Uncertainty After Sam Montembeault Injury
Montembeault left in the second period due to a lower-body injury. Montreal’s goalie appeared to grab his left leg after making a stop on Capitals defender Alex Alexeyev. Montembeault had stopped 11 out of 13 shots, but did not stay in the game.
The 28-year-old netminder had stopped 58 of 63 shots for a .921 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average this series. Dobes finished the rest of the game and made seven saves in his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.
However, Montembeault wasn’t the only goalie to leave Friday’s game. Washington goalie Logan Thompson left the game late in the third period after his own leg injuries. Backup goalie Charlie Lindgren finished the game out.
Montembeault has played for the Florida Panthers and the Canadiens over his six-year NHL career. He went 31-24-7 with a 2.82 GAA and .901 save percentage in the regular season. The Bécancour, Quebec native also posted four shutouts in the 2024-25 campaign.
What It Means
Montreal has made it a series with Friday night’s victory. The Canadiens were able to get physical to get back into the series. However, the Habs still have some work to do to overcome the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Losing Montembeault does hurt, but Dobes did beat the Capitals in the regular season. Montreal’s backup did come back down to earth after a slow start. However, he’s more than capable of holding down the fort while Montembeault recovers.
Montreal has a chance to even up the series at home with Game 4 set for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the Bell Centre.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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