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Carey on: Montoya blanks Pens in Habs’ home opener

Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 15: Al Montoya #35 of the Montreal Canadiens keeps track of the puck as a shot tips over his glove in NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on October 15, 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Francois Laplante/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

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Last season, the Montreal Canadiens disintegrated without Carey Price in net. Good thing they signed Al Montoya.

While Price’s flu situation generates conspiracy theories, you don’t need a tin foil hat to realize that Montoya has been a rock for Montreal so far. That continued on Tuesday night, as Montoya and the Habs beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0 in their home opener.

It’s not as though Montoya’s being coddled by a system that suffocates opposing offenses, either.

Instead, he’s faced 30+ shots in each game, including tonight’s 36-save shutout.

It was a strong night for multiple Montreal players, from Max Pacioretty to David Desharnais. Alex Radulov gets to breathe a sigh of relief after scoring his first NHL goal in ages:

Over the long term, Montreal wants Price back. They probably want to see him in net.

Still, right now, Montoya makes an argument that they don’t need him back just yet.