Canadiens' Jake Evans out 4-6 weeks; Montembeault recalled from Laval

Forward Jake Evans will have another injury-shortened season. The Canadiens announced Saturday he will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury after he was hurt in a knee-on-knee collision in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 20.

That could take him through the Olympic break in February. Evans played full seasons for Montreal in 2023-24 and 2024-25, with seven and 13 goals respectively, but lost significant parts of the previous three seasons due to injuries.

Meanwhile, goaltender Samuel Montembeault has been recalled from a conditioning assignment with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket, 11 days after he was assigned there. In two games with the Rocket, both losses, he allowed five goals on 52 shots for a save percentage of .904.

Montembeault was sent to Laval after allowing 15 goals in his last five games, prompting the Canadiens to call up Jacob Fowler, who has three wins in his five games so far (including a shutout) and a save percentage of .918. Jakub Dobes, Montreal’s other goaltender, struggled in games against Tampa and St. Louis Dec. 7 and 9 but allowed only five goals in three games since then, going 2-0-1.

The Canadiens next play Sunday (5 p.m., TSN2, RDS) at the Tampa Bay Lightning.