Montreal Canadiens: Time To Give Sam Montembeault More Starts

The Montreal Canadiens season may be going better than expected, but it still just a stepping stone in a long journey to actual contention. The team has won more games than it lost (barely) and fans can’t believe how well they have played.

Watching them compete every night, and win their fair share, is a lot better than what we witnessed in 2021-22. But this season is still all about laying a foundation for future success and general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t moved off that philosophy.

A few key pieces have already emerged. We were fairly certain the tandem of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield would be around for a long time, but they have been even better than expected. Kirby Dach has joined them as a key piece up front, as has Juraj Slafkovsky, which isn’t surprising considering he was picked first overall.

On the blue line, Kaiden Guhle looks like he could be a two-way force for the team for a very long time. Jordan Harris, Jonathan Kovacevic and Arber Xhekaj have all emerged as potential long-term fixtures on the back end as well.

In goal, there are no sure things when it comes to long term planning. Jake Allen signed a two-year extension but he appears to be a stopgap option before the team emerges as a contender. Cayden Primeau is a possible solution in goal down the road but he isn’t putting up great numbers in the minors this season.

That leaves Sam Montembeault who was claimed off waivers before last season. He signed a two-year deal himself before this season began, but he also seemed like a short term answer to get the team through a couple tough seasons.

However, Montembeault has shown more promise this season than previously realized. He has suited up for either games, posting a 2.48 GAA with a sizzling .924 SV%. On a team that isn’t near the league’s best, those are impressive numbers.

Montembeault is a 26 year old goaltender who was a star in his QMJHL days, but he didn’t become an NHL regular until the Canadiens plucked him off waivers after learning Carey Price would be out long term. His numbers leading up to this season, including a 3.77 GAA and a .891 SV% last season, didn’t shout out “NHL starter.”

This season he has been up to the task. Of course, it has only been a handful of games, and not the toughest competition at that. His first four starts did include outings against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets, but his best games were against the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks.

That’s not exactly the toughest litmus test in the NHL. However, he was exceptional in those four games and deserves a longer look now because of it.

In a season all about laying a foundation for the future, it is time to give Montembeault a longer stint as the team’s number one goaltender to see if the 26 year old Quebec native is capable of being a starting goaltender in the NHL.

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