Montreal Canadiens: Five Things Habs Need To Get For Christmas

Solution to the three goaltender problem

One problem the team has the ability to solve on its own, or gift it can give itself so to speak, is a solution to the three goaltender rotation they have been dealing with all season.

The Canadiens have carried Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau on their roster for all 33 games. Montembeault and Allen have played most of the games, while Primeau has now suited up for just seven on the season.

His most recent start was the Habs final game before the Christmas break, but it was just his second game in the month of December. Primeau was excellent against the Buffalo Sabres on December 9th, stopping 46 of 48 shots, but with three guys pushing for time in the crease, it was nearly two weeks later before Primeau faced another shot.

He was steady against the Chicago Blackhawks, leading the team to a 5-2 win, but who knows when he will get the crease again? His numbers have been better than Allen's and not far off Montembeault's, so it may be time to clear the crease for the 24 year old to play more often.

Hopefully general manager Kent Hughes is given the gift of a great trade offer for Allen this Christmas. With top contending teams like the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers and now, reportedly, the Toronto Maple Leafs looking for a goaltending upgrade, it isn't crazy to think the Habs could get a good return from one of them for a goaltender.

That is what Hughes should be hoping to unwrap this week.