Kreider did not play on Sunday and will be out of the lineup until at least January 14th against the Colorado Avalanche. The 33-year-old Kreider has struggled this season with only 15 points (13G / 2A) in 34 games but was playing better lately, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in three games before his injury.
The Canadiens played their last game with Jakub Dobes in their crease, an impressive 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Still, they will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. Montembeault allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He has a 2.91 GAA and .900 SV% in 31 games this season (14-15-2). The Canadiens enter Monday's contest as +113 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off a 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.
The Canadiens have won three straight and will roll with Montembeault between the pipes on Friday against a Chicago Blackhawks club coming off a 6-2 loss in Tuesday's Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues. Montembeault was solid in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old Montembeault has a 2.87 GAA and .902 SV% in 30 games this season (14-14-2).
The Canadiens have outscored their opposition 9-2 in their last two games (2-0-0) and will roll with Montembeault between the pipes on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Montembeault was solid in his last outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has a 2.90 GAA and .901 SV% in 29 games this season (13-14-2). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable +208 road underdogs.
Texier played the last three games for the Blues but will miss Friday's game against the Nashville Predators due to an illness. The 25-year-old Texier is averaging 12:53 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 18 games this season.
Cayden Primeaeu is expected to be placed on waivers tomorrow, allowing Dobes to make his NHL debut on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. Dobes was a fifth-round pick, 136th overall, of the Canadiens in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old goalie, a product of Ohio State University, has a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games (9-3-1) with the Laval Rocket (AHL).
Texier played the last three games for the Blues but could draw out of the lineup on Friday against the Nashville Predators. The 25-year-old Texier is averaging 12:53 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 18 games this season.
Dobes was a fifth-round pick, 136th overall, of the Canadiens in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old goalie, a product of Ohio State University, has a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games (9-3-1) with the Laval Rocket (AHL).
The struggling Rangers are desperate for a spark and will scratch Kreider on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. The 33-year-old Kreider scored 206 points (127G / 79A) in 242 games over the previous three seasons but only has 12 points (11G / 1A) in 30 games this season, pacing for the lowest offensive output of his career. Jonny Brodzinski will draw into the lineup on Monday as Kreider's replacement.
Montembeault and the Canadiens have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 15-5, and will continue to roll with the hot netminder on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Montembeault has a 2.85 GAA and .903 SV% in 27 appearances this season (12-13-2). The 28-year-old netminder has been excellent lately, posting a .929 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). The Canadiens enter Monday's contest as +117 road underdogs against a Blue Jackets squad coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
