Samuel Montembeault was spectacular in the first two games of the Montreal Canadiens’ series against the Washington Capitals. He kept his team in both games, multiplying the saves. On Friday night, his night was less busy. His teammates, fueled by the Bell Centre’s crowd’s energy, dominated the visitors, so much so that they limited them to just seven shots per period. 

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Still, unfortunately for the Habs, their starting netminder was injured and had to leave the game. At least, his injury didn’t come from a teammate running him over like Logan Thompson; no, he made a save and felt immediate discomfort, grabbing the back of his leg. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on a hamstring issue. 

Thankfully for the Canadiens, Jakub Dobes was up to the task in relief on Friday night. He looked completely unfazed by the enormity of the occasion and played his game with confidence. You know he’s at his best when he doesn’t hesitate to poke players who dare go into his crease. The only goal he surrendered was to the best goal scorer in league history on an odd-man rush; no goaltender could have stopped that.

The Canadiens have a day off on Saturday, but coach Martin St-Louis and assistant coach Stephane Robidas have a media availability at 2:00 PM at the Bell Centre. It would be shocking if they could provide any update on Montembeault’s injury, especially when coaches are so secretive about their lineups in the playoffs.

If the number one netminder is out of action, it stands to reason to put Dobes in the net and recall Cayden Primeau from the Laval Rocket. The former seventh-round and 199th pick overall has been on fire since being demoted to the AHL in late December. He’s got a 21-2-2 record, with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. It’s a shame for the Rocket as they will soon be starting their playoff series, but the Canadiens are the priority.

Still, it will provide goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler with a fantastic opportunity to see meaningful action. The youngster is on an amateur tryout contract with the Rocket for the rest of the playoffs, and his ELC only kicks in next season, making it impossible for him to be called up to play with the Habs.

Connor Hughes, who served as Primeau’s backup in the second half of the season, is still nursing a lower-body injury and has already been ruled out for the start of the playoffs. If Primeau is called up and stays in Montreal for a while, Fowler will be hoping to pull a Carey Price and lead the Rocket to a Calder Cup conquest after joining at the tail end of the season.

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