Montembeault allowed one goal on 20 shots after replacing Sergei Bobrovsky in the Panthers loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. With Bobrovsky starting Friday in Buffalo, Montembeault will make his first start of the season on the tail-end of the back-to-back. It’s a solid matchup against an offensively challenged Islanders team, making him a reasonable spot-start option if you’re desperate.

Montembeault was forced into NHL action last year, going 4-3-2 wth a 3.04 GAA and .894 SV% in 11 games. Montembeault currently projects to serve as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup following Roebrto Luongo’s retirement and the James Reimer trade but things could change before the start of the 2020 campaign.

Montembeault allowed three goals on 18 shots after replacing Roberto Luongo in the Panthers 6-1 loss in Montreal on March 26th. Montembeault has gone 0-3-0 with a 4.52 GAA and .856 SV% in his last five appearances (four starts). The 22-year-old is 2-1-1 with a 3.26 AA and .883 SV% in four starts on home-ice this season.

Montembeault will play in his second career NHL game with James Reimer serving as his backup. The 22-year-old, former third-round pick was 13-14-3 with a 3.16 GAA and .901 SV% in 37 games with Springfield (AHL) at the time of his call-up. Montembeault allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Panthers 4-3 OT loss to the Hurricanes in his first career start (Mar.2).

Montembeault, 21, started the season as Springfield’s backup but tonight he is expected to be the Panthers’ backup with Roberto Luongo and James Reimer out with injuries. Montembeault has gone 12-15-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .904 SV% in 30 games with the Thunderbirds and he is expected to backup Harri Sateri vs. the Capitals.