Canadiens Preview and Lines: Montembeault Starts In Tampa

The Montreal Canadiens (15-17-3) are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning (20-11-2), with the puck drop scheduled for 5 pm ET.

Even though he won’t be starting versus the other Florida-based team, the biggest Habs-related story is the play of goaltender Jakub Dobes, who saved 34 shots on the way to a 4-0 shutout win against the Panthers in his NHL debut. The great performance against the defending Stanley Cup champions even drew the interest of a former Canadiens goaltender that you may know by the name of Carey Price.

Congrats Jakub. Makes me happy to see a moment like that.

— Carey Price (@CP0031) December 29, 2024

Samuel Montembeault will start, and the great news is that he should be well rested, a rarity during his time with the Habs. The 28-year-old workhorse has started 27 of the team’s 35 games this season, a rather busy workload when you consider how many high-danger scoring chances the Canadiens tend to give up.

That being said, the Habs have done a much better job controlling games ever since Alexandre Carrier joined the blue line, a testament to the value of having a stabilizing presence among a young defensive group.

As for the forwards, things are firing on all cylinders. Jake ‘Gretzky’ Evans is scoring at will, Juraj Slafkovsky is producing on the top line, and the team’s veteran-laden third line continues to provide an honest effort every night.

That leaves the second line, and if we’re judging by Saturday’s game, things are aligning for Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, and Alex Newhook. Dach scored his second and third goals of the season versus Florida, exactly what the doctor ordered for a player who has had a very hard time in the offensive zone this season. Laine’s skating is improving slowly yet surely, allowing him to drive the play more often at 5v5. And Newhook’s blazing speed seems to be back on the menu.

ON TOPIC: Patrik Laine Drama – Blue Jackets Reportedly Targeted Shoulder

This will be the first of three meetings between the two clubs this year, with rematches scheduled for January 21 and February 9.

As per tradition, the affable Nikita Kucherov leads the Bolts in scoring, with 16 goals and 37 assists in 31 games. Montreal would be wise to pay close attention to the charismatic winger, as he loves to play against the Habs. Tampa’s charming forward has scored 15 goals and added 27 assists in 36 contests versus Les Glorieux.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Tampa Bay Lightning Projected Lineup

Guentzel – Point – Kucherov

Hagel – Cirelli – Geekie

Goncalves – Paul – Chaffee

Girgensons – Glendening – Atkinson

Hedman – Raddysh

McDonagh – Cernak

Lilleberg – Perbix

Vasilevskiy

How to Watch The Montreal Canadiens vs. The Tampa Bay Lightning, December 29, 2024.

Game 36 of the regular season will be aired on RDS and TSN2. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.