VANCOUVER – The Canadiens held an optional morning skate ahead of tonight’s game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
Trevor Letowski announced Samuel Montembeault as the team’s starting goalie against the Canucks. The 27-year-old did not dress when the teams met at the Bell Centre in November.
Tanner Pearson is also expected to return to action tonight in place of the injured Joshua Roy, who returned to Montreal yesterday for further evaluation. Pearson totaled 114 points in 221 games over parts of five seasons with Vancouver from 2018-2023.
“I loved it [in Vancouver],” Pearson said. “Obviously, made great friendships for the four and a half years I was here. It was a close-knit group, and we had some fun.”
Now, as a Hab, the 31-year-old is banking on his experience to help guide a young group to the promised land in Montreal.
“Experience is what I can lean back on. Especially the young guys, what they’re going through, I’ve probably been through in my career,” he said. “[If they’re] going through tough times or what not, just talk them through it and they’ll get out of the slump eventually. Just keeping an eye on a positive attitude goes a long way.”
Twelve players took part in the pregame session:
