Jakub Dobes set to start back-to-back games for the Canadiens

A goaltending controversy may be on the horizon in Montreal, with Jakub Dobes set to start back-to-back games for the first time this season when the Canadiens take on the Calgary Flames tonight. Dobes is off to a strong start, winning his first three games with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. Since making his debut halfway through last season, Dobes has been nothing short of excellent, and with Samuel Montembeault struggling to start this season, this may be his time to claim the starting job in net for the Canadiens.

Dobes was very good in his last start against the Buffalo Sabres, stopping 32 of the 34 shots he faced as he backstopped the team to a 4-2 win, and was named the third star. He has earned the opportunity to get more starts, especially considering the way Montembeault has started off the year.

Montembeault has addressed his struggles following his last start against the New York Rangers. “I will take a lot of the blame,” he said. “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.”

Montembeault's numbers do not tell the whole story. So far this season, he has a 3.26 goals against average and a .857 save percentage, but he has played well in moments during his starts. The problem is that the goals he is conceding are not high-quality chances, but are shots you would expect your number one goalie to be making. His last start was no different, conceding one goal in the first two periods, but letting three go by him in the third, which cost the Canadiens the game.

The Quebec native netminder will not have to wait long for his next start as the Canadiens are starting their western road trip, with two games in Alberta against the Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. The Canadiens are playing on back-to-back nights, with Dobes getting the start tonight against the Flames and Montembeault pencilled in to start tomorrow night against the Oilers. If the struggles continue for Montembeault, the Canadiens will have no choice but to see if Dobes has what it takes to be the team’s number one goalie.