If youβre a Montreal Canadiens fan watching the crease this season, youβve probably had a few uneasy moments. Lately, Samuel Montembeault just hasnβt had that same steady feel he used to. The saves look harder, the confidence a bit thinner. You can tell heβs fighting it, trying to find that rhythm that once came so naturally. His save percentage has dipped, and a few soft goals have left fans wondering if he's the long-term option between the pipes. Advanced metrics, including a Goals Saved Above Expected at -3.9, tell a similar story, and not a flattering one.
This isnβt the time to sound the alarms or start calling for trades.
Montembeault isnβt a goaltender losing his touch in the blink of an eye. This is the same 27-year-old who backstopped Team Canada to World Championship Gold in 2023, earning respect far beyond Montreal. His accountability and work ethic have long made him a favourite in the Canadiensβ room for years now. When he says, βI need to be better,β you know he means it, and he usually follows through.
Slumps happen. Goaltending is as much mental as mechanical, and Montembeault has proven he can weather the storm.
Meanwhile, the crease has a new youthful wrinkle. Enter Jakub DobeΕ‘.
The 24-year-old rookie has quietly impressed early on, going 2β0 with calm, sound performances. Heβs calm. The guy just doesnβt seem to care about the noise. The lights, the headlines, the chatter, none of it shakes him. He plays like nobody told him that goaltending in Montreal is supposed to be terrifying.
Sure, itβs early, but DobeΕ‘ has made things interesting. Suddenly, Montembeaultβs not just battling the puck, heβs got someone right behind him, quietly making a case for more ice time. Nothing crazy, just that healthy kind of push that every good team needs.
So now the big question: do you roll with Montembeault and trust heβll snap out of it, or give the kid a few more starts and see if the magicβs real?
Honestly, both choices make sense. Montembeault has earned the chance to steer the ship, and DobeΕ‘ deserves the chance to show he can handle the grind. For once, the Canadiens arenβt scrambling to find a backup; theyβve got two goalies who can play. Thatβs a luxury in todayβs NHL.
So, before the goalie debates explode, take a breath: itβs still early. Both netminders are capable, and the Canadiensβ crease looks steadier than it has in years.
The real win here? Montreal might finally have two goalies they can trust.
Letβs sit back, enjoy the friendly competition, and hope the best netminder wins. Because, honestly, the Habsβ crease is in great hands.
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