After allowing three goals on six shots in the first 5:51 of the third period of the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, goaltender Samuel Montembeault shouldered the blame.

The Canadiens held a 2-1 lead into the third period, but the three straight goals turned that into a 4-2 deficit at the time.

“I will take a lot of the blame,” said Montembeault. “I need to be better. It’s two games in a row I have a good two periods and then in the third it doesn’t go as well. The guys work hard and it’s up to me to make the saves.”

Related: • Canadiens Alumni Association appoints Patrice Brisebois as president • Canadiens extend president Jeff Gorton, GM Kent Hughes for 5 years • Canadiens reward star defenceman Lane Hutson with US$70.8 million, eight-year deal

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