The Montreal Canadiens have assigned Sam Montembeault to the American Hockey League (AHL) for a conditioning stint. Montembeault, who started the season as the team’s primary goalie, joins the Laval Rocket as they prepare for upcoming games.
Montembeault’s Conditioning Assignment Details
On Tuesday, the Rocket announced that Montembeault would practice with the team in Cleveland. This follows the Canadiens’ strategy to address his recent performance issues. The conditioning assignment is in compliance with the NHL-NHLPA collective bargaining agreement, which requires the goalie’s consent and can last up to 14 days.
Current Performance Statistics
- Record: 5 wins, 6 losses, 1 overtime loss
- Goals-against average: 3.65
- Save percentage: .857
Montembeault’s performance has declined significantly since he became a reliable starter over the past two seasons. He was even part of Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February but has struggled this season. His last start was on December 2, where he allowed five goals in a loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Impact on the Team and Upcoming Games
Following Montembeault’s performance, the Canadiens found it necessary to call up goalie prospect Jacob Fowler from Laval. Fowler, aged 21, captured attention after making 36 saves in his NHL debut, leading Montreal to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, he suffered a setback in his second game, where the Canadiens lost a 3-0 lead and fell 5-4 to the New York Rangers.
In their latest matchup, Jakub Dobes filled in, achieving a 4-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers. The team continues to adapt amid several challenges.
Injury Updates
In addition to the goalkeeping adjustments, the Canadiens also confirmed that defenceman Mike Matheson is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. This 31-year-old, hailing from Pointe-Claire, Quebec, has contributed four goals and 12 assists in 32 games this season. He leads the team with an average ice time of nearly 25 minutes per game.
The Canadiens face ongoing challenges but aim to stabilize their performance ahead of future matchups.
