It was a sport for the ages, and it may need been the precursor
Samuel Montembeault
required to set the desk for his most interesting NHL season.
Now, the Canadiens’ goaltender should attempt to repeat historical past.
“It was a fantastic sport, clearly. I keep in mind I had goosebumps … earlier than the sport,” Montembeault mentioned Tuesday after follow in Brossard. “It’s all the time an intense sport, all the time a enjoyable sport to start out the season in opposition to them.”
Montembeault made 48 saves within the Canadiens’
season-opening 1-0 victory in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs
final Oct. 9 on the Bell Centre. Montembeault established an NHL report for essentially the most stops throughout an opening-game shutout. Certainly, the 48 saves had been the second-highest in franchise historical past behind Jacques Plante, who stopped 52 photographs in opposition to Chicago on Nov. 13, 1955.
As anticipated, Montembeault shall be Montreal’s starter Wednesday, when the Canadiens start their regular-season schedule in opposition to the Leafs in Toronto
(7 p.m., SN, TVA Sports activities, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM).
The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Montembeault is coming into his fifth season with Montreal and is hoping to proceed establishing himself as one of many NHL’s main netminders. Whereas many critics have urged the Canadiens’ goaltending wants enchancment, the 28-year-old went 31-24-7 final season in 62 video games (60 begins). He had a 2.82 goals-against common, a .902 save share and a career-high 4 shutouts.
And whereas Montembeault didn’t play any video games, he was a part of Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off match, practising in opposition to, and rubbing shoulders with, a few of the NHL’s elite gamers.
“Clearly, you wish to begin the suitable manner,” Montembeault mentioned. “We didn’t have that good of a begin to the season final yr. However we confirmed on the finish of the yr how we have to play. After we do this, we’re going to have success. It’s essential that we begin on time this yr and we keep constant like that for 82 video games.
“I really feel excited for certain,” added the native of Bécancour. “All summer time, each time I used to be speaking to some followers, everyone’s so excited for the season to really begin. We made some good acquisitions this summer time. I’m excited to start out. It’s all the time good video games in opposition to the Leafs.”
Whether or not Montembeault shall be relied on as extensively this season stays to be seen. The Canadiens will play on consecutive nights 17 instances this season, the primary coming Thursday, when the workforce travels to Detroit earlier than concluding its three-game street journey Saturday in Chicago.
The Canadiens are stronger in web with
Jakub Dobes
backing up Montembeault as an alternative of Cayden Primeau. Dobes was 7-4-3 in 16 video games final season, together with a 2.74 G.A.A. and a .909 save share. He additionally shut out Florida on the street in his NHL debut on Dec. 28. Primeau, in the meantime, was
claimed off waivers by Toronto
after signing with Carolina final summer time.
“We’ve got plenty of back-to-back video games this yr,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis mentioned. “I assume Dobes will play (at the least) 17 video games. To me, there’s nonetheless some benefit concerned.”
Montembeault doesn’t have a set variety of video games he’d wish to play, however understands the schedule is condensed this season as a result of February break for the Olympics.
“The schedule’s crowded. Clearly, you’ve acquired to take heed to the physique. Final yr, even going into Recreation 62 on the finish of the yr, my physique nonetheless felt good. We’ll go sport by sport and simply attempt to be prepared for each sport.”
The Canadiens made three important low season strikes, led by the acquisition of defenceman
Noah Dobson
from the New York Islanders. Additionally they added forwards Zachary Bolduc and
Joe Veleno
. They’ll even have dynamic Russian ahead — and early rookie-of-the-year candidate — Ivan Demidov for a full season.
Administration believes the additions will result in an enchancment. Montreal (40-31-11) claimed the ultimate wild-card berth within the Jap Convention, however didn’t clinch its post-season spot till its ultimate sport in opposition to Carolina and the Hurricanes’ depleted roster.
Whereas the Canadiens fell to Washington within the opening spherical of the playoffs, lasting solely 5 video games, the joy of qualifying for the primary time in 4 seasons overshadowed any disappointment. Nevertheless, expectations are increased this season.
“I like our workforce’s enthusiasm,” Montembeault mentioned. “We’ve got a fantastic group. All people’s excited to come back to the rink. It’s all the time simpler to go on the ice and work once you’re having enjoyable. I’m assured in our group. We’ve got a fantastic group that wishes to push for one another, struggle for one another.
“We confirmed on the finish of the yr we will compete with each workforce and we will have some success. We’re simply going to must be constant in our effort and efficiency each evening.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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