The Montreal Canadiens are down one goaltending option for up to two weeks.
Head coach Martin St. Louis announced on Friday that Sam Montembeault will be sidelined 10 to 14 days with a lower-body injury.
Montembeault, 29, exited Wednesday’s practice early in obvious discomfort.
A native of Becancour, Que., Montembeault has yet to play this season. Jakub Dobes had started the team’s first three games of the season before Jacob Fowler, called up in Montembeault’s absence, started in goal in Thursday night’s 5-2 defeat to the Nashville Predators.
In seven NHL seasons, Montembeault is 90-92-32 with a goals against average of 3.23 and an .896 save percentage.
The Canadiens (1-2-1) return to action on Saturday night with a visit from the Detroit Red Wings (1-2-0).