MONTREAL

Samuel Montembeault to play in nets for Canadiens against Sabres

Published Thursday, October 14, 2021 12:16PM EDT Last Updated Thursday, October 14, 2021 12:23PM EDT

Samuel Montembeault (33) saves a goal against New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL hockey game from the Florida Panthers on April 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Goaltender Samuel Montembeault will goaltend for the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night against the Sabres in Buffalo.

This will be the only change to the Habs’ lineup.

This will be Montembeault's first official start with the team, who acquired him from the Florida Panthers in a trade on Oct. 2.

The 24-year-old Quebecer has 25 games of NHL experience. He has a 9-8-3 record with a 3.20 goals against average and .892 save percentage. His last NHL start was on March 1, 2020, when the Panthers lost 3-0 to the Calgary Flames.

The Habs opened their season with a 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday in Toronto. Jake Allen was the starting goalie.

The Canadiens are without Carey Price, who has enrolled in the NHL Player Assistance Program of the NHL Players' Association.

The Sabres will be playing their first game of the 2021-22 season. Veteran Craig Anderson will be their starting goalie.

- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 14, 2021.