Samuel Montembeault expected to start against powerhouse Dallas Stars

Marc Denis dropped a hint last night, and all signs are pointing in that direction today: Samuel Montembeault could be the starter Sunday in Dallas.

Before the game against the Dallas Stars, the Montreal Canadiens made a first decision that changes the routine. The Club did not hold a morning skate, and the identity of the full lineup will only be known closer to puck drop.

When there is no morning skate, it opens the door to all kinds of speculation, especially in goal. This time, Marc Denis added another layer on the air at RDS by mentioning that we should see Montembeault in net.

The important point is that official confirmation from the Canadiens is still pending. It's generating discussion because the CH is coming off a busy schedule, and goaltender management automatically becomes a topic.

Montembeault is 29 years old, and his contract carries a cap hit of $3.15M per season through the end of 2026-27. That is not a small number, and it explains why his starts draw so much attention in Montreal.

From a numbers standpoint, his last full season was massive. He played 62 games, with a 31-24-7 record, a 2.82 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage, and 4 shutouts.

When a goaltender provides that kind of workload, he becomes a central piece in roster management, which explains why the CH is so keen on getting him back on track this season.

If Marc Denis is right, Montembeault will get another showcase against Dallas, and the Canadiens will need to deliver a strong defensive effort in front of the Quebecer.

File to watch!

It is now confirmed that Samuel Montembeault will start in Dallas against the Stars, with Jacob Fowler serving as his backup.

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Canadiens make first decision ahead of game vs. Stars as goalie decision looms