Samuel Montembeault did not meet with reporters after the 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old goalkeeper, ruled out of the game for the first time this season, commented on the contact with Matthew Tkachuk and Martin St-Louis’s lost tackle.
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“I dropped a little coronation or two,” Montembeault said with a smile. It wasn’t easy to swallow. I don’t think we won a single challenge. It was a tough decision. »
“Yes, I think there was contact with me. He stopped me from coming back, but I was ready. Would I have stopped? Maybe by diving. There is a gray area. We lost the challenge and the Panthers scored on the power play that followed. »
Montembeault, who faced the Panthers for the sixth consecutive season, removed his mask and leggings after 40 minutes. He had given up five goals in 33 shots.
“I didn’t speak to Martin today,” he said. I didn’t train with the team today, I stayed on the other ice with Eric (Raymond). After the match, Martin said in front of everyone that it had nothing to do with my game, that he wanted to change something. Before I got on the bench third, he told me it wasn’t my fault. »
With Jake Allen injured, Montembeault will obviously get a seventh straight start when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Bell Center on Saturday night.
A happy man
Acquired by the Panthers last year on waivers, Montembeault is one of the CH’s best stories this season with a 9-8-2 record, a 3.21 average and a .909 efficiency rating.
With a salary of a million for this season and next, he’s a good investment. During the team’s mid-season review on Wednesday, Kent Hughes had good words for his goalkeeper.
“It’s nice to see that they trust me,” said Montembeault. Lately I’ve also played several matches in a row. The team trusts me. Kent said I’m not going anywhere. I don’t want to go anywhere either. »
A fine for Matheson
Mike Matheson wasn’t banned for his body check on Eric Staal, but he still suffered the wrath of the NHL leaders.
Matheson was fined $5,000 for his action against the 38-year-old center.
►Kirby Dach did not attend practice the night before the game against the Leafs. In the third period against the Panthers, defender Radko Gudas hit Dach at knee level. In the CH camp, we justified his absence with a simple day of therapy.