The Montreal Canadiens will be without forward Jake Evans for an extended period, as the team announced he is expected to miss four to six weeks of action due to a lower-body injury.
Injury Details and Timeline
The injury occurred during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 20. Evans was hurt in the first period following a knee-on-knee collision, with the apparent impact on his left knee. The recovery timeline of four to six weeks means the versatile forward could potentially be sidelined until after the Olympic break in February, a significant blow to the team's forward depth.
This continues a frustrating pattern for Evans, who has seen several of his previous three seasons shortened by various injuries. He had managed to play full 82-game campaigns for the Canadiens in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, scoring 7 and 13 goals respectively, demonstrating his value as a reliable two-way player.
Goaltending Shuffle: Montembeault Returns
In a corresponding roster move, the Canadiens have recalled goaltender Samuel Montembeault from his conditioning assignment with the American Hockey League's Laval Rocket. Montembeault was assigned to Laval just 11 days prior to this recall.
During his brief stint with the Rocket, Montembeault appeared in two games, both of which ended in losses. He faced 52 shots, allowing 5 goals, which resulted in a save percentage of .904. The recall suggests he has been deemed ready to rejoin the NHL squad and provide goaltending support.
Impact on the Canadiens' Lineup
The loss of Evans creates a hole in the Canadiens' bottom-six forward group. Known for his defensive responsibility, penalty-killing ability, and faceoff prowess, his absence will force head coach Martin St. Louis to adjust his line combinations. The extended timeline means the team will need to find internal solutions or look to other players within the organization to step up in his role for over a month of crucial regular-season games.
Meanwhile, Montembeault's return adds another option in the crease as the team manages its goaltending workload. His performance upon returning to the NHL roster will be closely watched, especially following his AHL conditioning stint.
