Canadiens Name Starting Goalie for Special Season Opener Against Kraken

It is an expected decision that Monty will be in net tonight, but we also got the full details on the goaltender management planned for this season.

Tonight, the Canadiens will play their season opener at the Bell Centre after two well-deserved days of rest. According to the Journal de Montreal, Samuel Montembeault will start in goal for Montreal, while the Seattle Kraken will rely on Joey Daccord.

Once again, no big surprise here, considering the solid start to the season by the Quebec goaltender and the relatively spaced-out schedule for the Canadiens at the beginning of the campaign.

Even though Monty's appointment is not surprising, Martin St-Louis gave an important hint about the goaltender management for the rest of the season.

As reported earlier by Eric Engels of Sportsnet, the Canadiens coach confirmed that young Jakub Dobes is expected to see action in at least 17 games this season, corresponding to the 17 back-to-back situations scheduled. Of course, he will play more than those 17 games as well.

A plan that will allow Montembeault to be rested while giving experience to Dobes. Many see him as the Canadiens' goaltender of the future (alongside young Fowler).

Even though Montembeault starts the season as the clear number one, I am convinced that his workload will be reassessed over the course of the year.

It will all depend on his consistency, but also on his ability to avoid injuries.

Tonight, the goal will be simple: deliver a solid performance in front of a hyped-up crowd for the first home game. Let's not forget that a memorable night awaits as we pay a special tribute to Ken Dryden.