It’s hard to call a 50th win a huge milestone. However, Montreal Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault just missed out last season, standing at No. 49 heading into 2024-25. So, it’s at least on his personal to-do list, but, coincidentally, the single victory he needs to reach the half-century mark would also tie him with Jake Allen on the team’s all-time list (41).
As Montembeault effectively beat out the since-traded Allen for the No. 1 job, that would have to feel good. However, more significantly, if he simply ties his win total of 16 from last season, he’ll tie Jaroslav Halak at No. 21 on the team’s all-time list (56). However, poised to set new career highs as the team’s undisputed No. 1, Montembeault could hit 18 (or more) to tie (pass) Cristobal Huet and etch his name into the team’s Top 20 all-time goalies (in terms of wins).
Even so, Montembeault just misses out on ranking in this list of the top milestones within reach of individual Canadiens this coming season. Here are the top five… Canadiens, but not necessarily milestones; Several Habs are in line for more than one:
5. Brendan Gallagher (233th goal, 457th point)
Based purely on his career totals, you wouldn’t think Brendan Gallagher is approaching a significant milestone. He’s at 218 goals and 426 points in 752 games. However, by virtue of the fact he’s played all those games with the Canadiens, he’s on the verge of passing several greats.
The less notable of the bunch is 800 games, which he needs 48 to reach. After a complete season for all intents and purposes last season, that’s suddenly a realistic plateau for the admittedly oft-injured forward. Were he to hit 801 though, Gallagher would tie Jean-Guy Talbot for 20th all-time.
Gallagher is also on the verge of breaking into the Top 20 in terms of goals scored. Currently at No. 22, he need three to tie Guy Carbonneau (21), five to tie Pete Mahovlich (20), seven to tie Stephane Richer (19) and eight to tie Max Pacioretty (18). Since he scored 16 goals last season, Gallagher could conceivably go as high as Tomas Plekanec (No. 17 with 233).
Similarly, after a 31-point season, Gallagher could potentially go as high as No. 28 on the all-time list. Currently at No. 31, he would pass Doug Harvey (447), Max Pacioretty (448) and Pierre Mondou (456) along the way.
4. Nick Suzuki (298th point)
Of…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…