Canadiens rule Kapanen out of Toronto opener, keep goalie choice open
Oliver Kapanen will miss Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury, while Martin St-Louis has yet to name his starter against the Maple Leafs.
The Montreal Canadiens will open their season in Toronto against the Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday without forward Oliver Kapanen. Coach Martin St-Louis ruled him out after Monday’s practice, the club reported. Kapanen is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
St-Louis did not name a starting goaltender for the opener. Defenceman Kaiden Guhle practised in a non-contact jersey Monday, while Kapanen was the only player absent from the session, according to the Canadiens.
Samuel Montembeault is on Montreal’s opening roster behind Jakub Dobes after a strong pre-season, Sportsnet reported. “Once it starts back up Tuesday, it’s all zeroes again,” Montembeault told the outlet after Montreal’s final exhibition game. His remark captures the reset facing a team that earned 106 points and reached the Eastern Conference Final last season.
St-Louis told Sportsnet that the Canadiens have earned higher expectations, but he wants them to focus on their daily process rather than the result of any one game.
