In a hockey match that showcased a stellar performance, Sam Montembeault, the Montreal Canadiens’ goalie, stopped 30 shots, leaving the Edmonton Oilers scoreless in a 3-0 victory on Monday night. The Canadiens celebrated a repeat success, matching their season-best winning streak, with Brendan Gallagher, Kaiden Guhle, and Jake Evans leading the charge in scoring.

Montembeault’s Exceptional Display in Net

Montembeault earned his second shutout of the season, following an impressive 48-save display against Toronto in the season opener. The Oilers, featuring the likes of Connor McDavid, couldn’t find a way past Montembeault. Meanwhile, the Oilers’ netminder, Calvin Pickard, managed to save 22 shots.

The Oilers Stumble Again

It was a consecutive defeat for the Oilers, who had earlier succumbed to a 4-3 overtime defeat to Toronto on Saturday. Gallagher initiated the scoring with a deflection off Mike Matheson’s powerful pass, finding the upper right corner with only 31 seconds remaining in the second period.

Key Takeaways from the Game

Canadiens’ Resilience

The Montreal Canadiens not only outshot the Oilers 11-9 in the final period, but also successfully neutralized three power play opportunities for the Oilers. Despite the Oilers’ well-equipped offense, their power-play performance is among the bottom third in the league this season.

Oilers’ Setback

The Oilers were missing defenseman Darnell Nurse, who was sidelined due to a head injury sustained from a hit by Toronto’s Ryan Reaves on Saturday. Oilers’ coach Kris Knoblauch had earlier confirmed that Nurse would be out for five to ten days.

Crucial Moment of the Match

Montembeault showed great composure when he made a pad save on Jeff Skinner’s partial break midway through the third period, denying the backhand and earning himself chants of “Monty! Monty!”.

Landmark Game for Nugent-Hopkins

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers’ forward, marked his 900th NHL game, all played for the Oilers. The franchise’s first overall pick in 2011, Nugent-Hopkins, has contributed 252 goals and 455 assists over his career.

What’s Next?

The Oilers will conclude a three-game road trip with a match against Ottawa on Tuesday, while the Canadiens look forward to hosting Vegas on Saturday.

James Thornton brings over a decade of sports journalism experience to 21Sports.com. Known for his razor-sharp analysis and passion for the game, James has covered everything from Super Bowls to the Olympics. His deep knowledge of football and ability to break down complex strategies make his articles a must-read for any sports fan. Off the field, James is an avid golfer who enjoys exploring new courses on the weekends.