What Happened
Samuel Montembeault closed out the pre-season by securing his place behind Jakub Dobes on the Montreal Canadiens opening roster, according to Sportsnet. Montembeault stopped 14 shots in regulation and four of five in a pre-planned shootout as Montreal beat the Ottawa Senators 4-2 last Saturday, finishing exhibition play at 4-1. He said everything returns to zero once the season starts Tuesday. Head coach Martin St. Louis said the team stays process-driven and starts over daily, regardless of the previous game's result.
Key Details
- Canadiens finished the pre-season with a 4-1 record.
- Montembeault sits behind Jakub Dobes on the opening roster.
- Montembeault made 14 regulation saves and stopped four of five in a pre-planned shootout against Ottawa.
- Montreal beat Ottawa 4-2 last Saturday.
- Montembeault said the slate resets when the season opens Tuesday.
- St. Louis said the team avoids getting too high or too low with results.
What It Means
Montembeault's pre-season showing steadies a goaltending situation that shifted dramatically last season, when he went from a top-tier starter to struggling to make saves. His comments and St. Louis's process message point to a roster trying to manage rising expectations after emerging from a rebuild. The Canadiens open the season with their goaltending hierarchy set, at least to start.
What's Next
The Canadiens open the regular season Tuesday, when Montembeault said the reset begins. Montreal will look to carry its pre-season form into games that count, with St. Louis emphasizing daily process over results.