Habs Daily: Montembeault Team Canada, Laine’s Arrival, Hage

Make sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Thursday.

Montreal Canadiens

Goaltender Samuel Montembeault reacted to the news he would represent Canada at the 4 Nations Faceoff with his typical affability. Montembeault would go on to make 29 saves in a 3-0 shutout win over the Nashville Predators.

“It’s a nice vote of confidence. There were several NHL GMs working together to create this team. It’s good to know that they have confidence in me to be one of the 3 goalies to represent the country 🇨🇦. It’s still 2 months away so a lot can change…”

– Sam Montembeault today pic.twitter.com/4PVZOeotQF

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 5, 2024

Make that two goals in two games for sniper Patrik Laine. The 26-year-old winger took advantage of an extended 5-on-3 powerplay, not to mention his elite accuracy, to provide the Habs with an important insurance goal on Thursday night. Jake Evans, who happens to be on pace to set a career best in points, scored a great shorthanded goal that allowed Martin St-Louis’ team to play with a lead for the majority of the game, a rare occurrence in Montreal. [Habs Highlights: Patrik Laine Scores Again, Montembeault Dominant]

It’s still early, but it seems like Laine is fitting in perfectly with the team’s young lineup, both on and off the ice.

De/From: Patty
À/To: Jakey 😎
#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/S0O809FcCb

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 6, 2024

Defenceman Kaiden Guhle was a late scratch against the Predators due “illness”, with Justin Barron taking his spot in the lineup. The Habs have given their players a day off following the shutout win, making an update unlikely until Saturday. [Canadiens]

Prospect Michael Hage was named the NCAA’s Rookie Of The Month by the Hockey Commissioners Association. His 10 points in 7 games pushed his season totals to nine goals and eight assists in just 13 games for the University of Michigan.

Congrats to Michael Hage on being named the HCA Rookie of the Month.

In the month of November, he had:

– 5 goals 🔥
– 5 assists 🔥
– 10 points in 7 games 🔥
– Led all rookies with 1.43 PPG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7DJZcWog5x

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 5, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

Matthew Tkachuk said he and brother Brady have been talking about playing together on the same team for a long time. [Florida Panthers]

It’s been tough for Casey Mittelstadt lately. He has struggled to produce after a solid start to the season, but it’s nothing new to him. [Colorado Avalanche]

The Boston Bruins had a quasi-reunion last night when they faced a Chicago Blackhawks team littered with several of their former players. While the likes of Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi and Pat Maroon attended the party on behalf of the host Blackhawks, the Bruins came empty-handed, forgetting to bring one of their Chicago alums.  [Boston Bruins]