Montreal boosts their goaltending depth by recalling Cayden Primeau ahead of crucial matchups.
The Montreal Canadiens are making changes in goal after an unfortunate setback. With starter Sam Montembeault sidelined by an undisclosed injury, the team has recalled goaltender Cayden Primeau to step in as support. Montembeault left during a second-period timeout in Game 3 following a discussion with Montreal’s director of sports medicine, Jim Ramsay. According to head coach Martin St. Louis via NHL.com, Montembeault is considered day-to-day and remains questionable for Game 4. Rookie Jakub Dobes is expected to get the starting nod, while Primeau will serve as his backup if needed.
Primeau’s call-up comes after a fantastic year in the AHL. He put together a stellar 21-2-2 record with a .927 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average, some of the best stats among qualified minor league goalies this season. Compared to his previous four AHL seasons, where his numbers were steady but not spectacular, this year marked a true breakout for the young netminder.
However, Primeau’s performances at the NHL level have been more of a mixed bag. During a stint with Montreal earlier this season, he appeared in 11 games, recording a 2-3-1 record, an .836 save percentage, and a 4.70 goals-against average — numbers that fell short of expectations. Over his career, Primeau holds a 13-24-7 record with an .884 save percentage across 55 NHL appearances.
Despite the rocky NHL track record, the Canadiens are hopeful that Primeau can tap into his AHL success and offer solid backup support if called upon during this critical stretch.
Image Credit Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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