The Montreal Canadiens are still in the dark regarding the status of goaltender Samuel Montembeault and defenseman Alexandre Carrier ahead of Game 5 against the Washington Capitals.
Speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Martin St. Louis said there were no updates yet on either player’s condition following Sunday’s Game 4 loss.
"Tomorrow," St. Louis indicated when asked if an update could be expected, indicating a decision would likely come after Tuesday’s practice, without guaranteeing it.
Montembeault was injured midway through Game 3 and did not dress for Game 4, where rookie Jakub Dobes made 21 saves in a 5–2 loss, and voiced his frustrations in the postgame press conference.
Meanwhile, Carrier was injured in Game 4 after a controversial neutral-zone hit from Tom Wilson.
Montembeault remains day-to-day, per Sportsnet's Eric Engels, with a lower-body injury.
According to BPM Sports’ Renaud Lavoie, via Dose.ca, it is unlikely Montembeault will be ready to start Game 5.
Dobes, who was solid in his playoff debut despite the defeat, is expected to start again if Montembeault remains unavailable.
The Canadiens trail 3-1 in the series and face elimination Wednesday night at Capital One Arena.
St. Louis stressed the importance of building momentum if the Canadiens are to extend their season with Montreal facing elimination on Wednesday.
"In the playoffs, for me, it’s all about momentum," St. Louis said. "To go get momentum in Washington, it obviously takes a win, and then you extend the series again."
The Canadiens will look to stave off elimination and force a Game 6 back in Montreal after Game 5 on the road with the Capitals trying to punch their tickets to the second round.
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