The Montreal Canadiens announced a significant roster update ahead of their Sunday night matchup against the St. Louis Blues at the Bell Centre.
Goaltender Samuel Montembeault has been ruled out due to illness, prompting the team to recall veteran netminder Kaapo Kahkonen from the AHL’s Laval Rocket. With Montembeault unavailable, 24-year-old rookie Jakub Dobes will make his second consecutive start for the Canadiens.
This lineup change comes just 24 hours after Dobes delivered a stellar performance in Toronto, guiding Montreal to a 2-1 shootout victory over the Maple Leafs. Dobes stopped 22 shots in regulation and overtime, securing his 10th win of the season. His solid play has been a bright spot for the Canadiens, who now hold a 15-9-3 record and sit third in the Atlantic Division.
Montembeault, 29, remains the team’s primary goaltender despite a fluctuating season, carrying a 5-6-1 record and a 3.61 goals-against average. His absence opens the door for Kahkonen, who signed a one-year contract with Montreal this summer.
Kahkonen has been steady in Laval, posting a 6-2-0 record with a 2.81 GAA and a .895 save percentage in nine AHL starts. Tonight marks his first call-up to the NHL roster this season, where he will serve as Dobes’ backup.
The Canadiens are aiming to build on their recent momentum, having won back-to-back games against the Winnipeg Jets and Maple Leafs. Facing them are the St. Louis Blues (10-12-7), who are struggling defensively with a -26 goal differential. While Montreal’s offence has been sparked by Cole Caufield’s 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists), the team will need a strong defensive effort to support Dobes in the second half of a back-to-back set.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans will be watching closely to see if Dobes can replicate his success from Saturday night and whether Kahkonen will see any action in his return to the NHL stage.