The Canadiens had a brief but uneasy moment at practice in Brossard when Noah Dobson’s shot caught Samuel Montembeault flush in the head.
Pat Guillet reported that Dobson skated right over to apologize after the accidental play, and the reaction on the ice made it clear immediately that everyone knew how serious it could have been. Montembeault was shaken for a few seconds after taking the shot, but he settled himself quickly and got back into his crease not long after.
That return was the encouraging part. It suggested the scare looked worse than the damage, even if a goaltender taking a puck to the head is never something anyone wants to see.
Concussion symptoms can show up later, sometimes the next day, so there was still a reason to keep an eye on things. For now, though, Montembeault appears to have avoided anything serious.
Dobson’s response stood out too. He stopped the drill and checked on his teammate before the group moved on, a quick sign that he understood right away he had caught Montembeault in a dangerous spot. The practice went on, and no further concern was raised afterward, including during the press conference.
That’s the good news for Montreal as the team heads into a packed stretch with little time to reset before tomorrow’s trip to Toronto. The Canadiens are still on track for the start of the season, and Montembeault seems to be fine after a scare that could have been much worse.
He’s also stepping into a much bigger role than expected to open the Canadiens’ season, which makes any moment like this feel a little louder. But at least for now, everything appears to have returned to normal.
What is your prediction for the season opener between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs?
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