Canadiens Lose Samuel Montembeault for Two Weeks Just as Their Defense Collapses

The Montreal Canadiens are already treating defense like an optional morning skate, and now they have officially lost their starting goalie.

Samuel Montembeault is set to miss two weeks with a lower-body injury, according to a report from Daily Faceoff.

"Daily Faceoff reported the two-week timeline for Montembeault's lower-body injury."

Losing your top netminder is tough for any franchise, but for Montreal right now, it is like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic. The Habs have surrendered a staggering 17 goals in their last three games alone.

They dropped a 6-5 shootout to the Pittsburgh Penguins, got rolled 6-4 by the Carolina Hurricanes, and just took a 5-2 beating from the Nashville Predators. That is not a defensive structure. That is a red carpet.

Without Montembeault to bail them out, whoever steps into the crease is going to need hazard pay. The betting markets are going to treat Montreal team totals like a broken ATM until they prove they can actually clear a puck out of their own zone.

The Detroit Red Wings are coming to town next, and they have to be licking their chops. If the Canadiens do not figure out how to play in front of their backup, this two-week stretch is going to feel like two months.