Sam Montembeault’s stint with the Laval Rocket didn’t quite go as planned. The Montreal Canadiens goalie dropped both games against the Cleveland Monsters this week, despite some impressive saves between the pipes.
The numbers tell part of the story – he let in five goals on 52 shots during his conditioning loan with Montreal’s AHL affiliate.
But stats don’t show everything. Montembeault actually looked pretty sharp in net, coming up big when his team needed him to keep things close.
The original plan was simple: send him down for some game action, then have him meet up with the Canadiens in Pittsburgh for Sunday’s matchup with the Penguins.
That’s all changed now, according to TVA Sports insider Renaud Lavoie.
The Quebec native’s immediate future with the team appears to be shifting, though the Canadiens haven’t announced their new plans for the 27-year-old netminder just yet.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Montembeault, who’s trying to prove he belongs as a full-time NHL goalkeeper. These minor league games were supposed to help him stay sharp and build confidence.
