47 saves: Samuel Montembeault shuts out the Leafs

The Canadiens kicked off their season at the Bell Centre tonight.

Finally!

For the occasion, here are the lineups:

Canadiens in warmups:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovský
Newhook-Dach-Armia
Heineman-Evans-Gallagher
Barré-Boulet-Dvorak-Anderson

Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Savard
Xhekaj-Barron

Montembeault
Primeau

– Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) October 9, 2024

First lineup of 2024! @Molson_Canadian | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/I9xIBTIvCX

– Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 9, 2024

The Canadiens had no success on the power play during the preparatory schedule.

But on his second opportunity of the season, Cole Caufield hit the nail on the head.

He scored the team’s first goal of the season.

In his first game wearing No. 13 Cole Caufield opens the scoring.

Unreal. pic.twitter.com/3ZMEQ5y51N

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 9, 2024

A goal for Johnny Gaudreau.

In the first period, Mike Matheson played almost 10 minutes. We saw that he’s still the number one defenseman, despite the presence of Lane Hutson. Matheson ended the game with 26:35 of playing time.

No goals were scored in the second period, but the Leafs threatened on several occasions.

Either Samuel Montembeault was solid or the puck hit the post.

After 40 minutes of play, Montreal was still holding on to its one-goal lead.

Solid outing by Montembeault so far with Toronto outshooting Montreal 29-19.

– Sean Farrell 27 (@seanfarrell27) October 10, 2024

Like the second period, no one hit the target in the third, but the home side held firm.

What I remember about this opening game: Monty’s performance.

Samuel Montembeault, the first star of the evening, blanked the Leafs with a performance of

It was his second shutout as a member of the Canadiens.

Montembeault ranks 2nd in history for most saves in an opening game pic.twitter.com/NVVpkunS9E

– Sébastien Goulet (@SebGouletTVAS) October 10, 2024

Final score: 1-0.

Martin St-Louis’ team won’t be able to celebrate for too long, because tomorrow they’ll be in Boston to face the Bruins.

Overtime

– Lane Hutson MUST be the first-wave power-play quarterback.

I know he’s a rookie but I wouldn’t wait very long to get Hutson out there https://t.co/xork9KwGFJ

– Mike Johnson (@mike_p_johnson) October 10, 2024