Canadiens’ Montembeault not starting, Capitals’ Thompson a game-time decision

Montreal Canadiens' goaltender Cayden Primeau (30) replaces Sam Montembeault (35) during third period NHL hockey action against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

The Montreal Canadiens will play without starting goalie Sam Montembeault, while Washington Capitals counterpart Logan Thompson appears to have avoided the worst.

Both netminders exited with injuries in Montreal’s 6-3 win in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series Friday. Washington leads the best-of-seven matchup 2-1.

Montembeault (lower body) is considered day-to-day, head coach Martin St. Louis announced Sunday morning ahead of Game 4 in Montreal.

Rookie goalie Jakub Dobes is set to start for the Canadiens after replacing Montembeault with 8:21 remaining in the second period in Game 3.

“He’s obviously a big part of our team, and has been a big reason that we’re here today,” defenceman Mike Matheson said of Montembeault. “But at the same time, we have a lot of confidence in Dobes, and a lot of confidence in the confidence that he has in himself.”

Dobes stopped seven of eight shots to earn the win. The Canadiens recalled netminder Cayden Primeau from American Hockey League affiliate Laval to serve as Dobes’ backup.

The 23-year-old Dobes was called up to Montreal on Dec. 27 after beginning the season in Laval. He went 7-4-3 with a .909 save percentage and 2.74 goals-against average in 16 games during the regular season.

“You guys cannot imagine how a person feels,” Dobes said after his unexpected first playoff appearance. “I was afraid, I was excited, I was emotional. I was crying at the end. I was a mess.”

Thompson (lower body) is a game-time decision. He skated Sunday morning after needing to be helped off the ice in Game 3 when teammate Dylan Strome crashed into him following Juraj Slafkovsky’s goal late in the third period.

Capitals backup Charlie Lindgren entered the net, making four saves on five shots.

“He’s a big part of our team, he’s been great in the series,” head coach Spencer Carbery said of Thompson. “I was happy that it wasn’t anything significant that would keep him out for an extended period of time. So that was positive to see.”

In other lineup news, Canadiens forward Patrik Laine and defenceman David Savard did not practise Sunday morning.

Laine missed Game 3 with an upper-body injury after being benched the entire third period in Game 2.

St. Louis said he’s “pretty sure” Savard will play after taking a maintenance day.

For the Capitals, Aliaksei Protas is also a game-time decision. The towering winger skated Sunday and is nearing his series debut after suffering a skate cut to his foot on April 4.

“We’ll see how they are this afternoon, and then we’ll know if they’re good to go,” Carbery said.

Primeau returns to Montreal after beginning the season with the Canadiens. He struggled with a .836 save percentage and 4.70 goals-against average in 11 NHL appearances this season before Montreal sent him down to Laval in December.

In Laval, the 25-year-old won 21 of his 26 starts with a .927 save percentage and 1.96 goals-against average.

“It’s amazing what he’s done the last three months,” St. Louis said. “His play speaks for itself but it’s beyond his play, the way he’s been able to have an impact down there. I’ve heard nothing but good things. We’re happy to have him back.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 27, 2025.