théodore spent his first three seasons with the montreal canadiens organization, splitting time in the nhl and the ahl, with montreal's minor league affiliate, the fredericton canadiens. he made his stanley cup playoffs debut in 1997, winning a 4–3 triple overtime game against the new jersey devils, making 56 saves. the following year, he appeared in three playoff games for the canadiens against the buffalo sabres, despite not playing in any regular season games for them that campaign.