Sam Montembeault isn't getting enough love since the Four Nations Break

Sam Montembeault didn't spend his Four Nations Break on a beach like most of the players around the league. He also didn't spend it playing in meaningful games in Montreal and Boston, as he was the third-string goaltender for Team Canada. After Canada's loss in the round-robin to the United States, every game was crucial, so they didn't get the chance to dress Montembeault for a game like the other countries did with their third-string goaltenders. Nevertheless, Montembeault wouldn't trade the experiences gained over that week for anything, and he definitely wouldn't trade the gold medal.

Many would look at Montembeault's break as a negative for the goaltender. He didn't get any game experience and he also didn't get the chance to rest and recharge for the stretch run. The thing he did get to do was spend a week in the dressing room with some of the world's best players and learn from two goaltenders who have led their NHL teams to a Stanley Cup.

So, the question was how would Montembeault return from the Four Nations Faceoff. Would he look like a tired goalie with the only benefit being a gold medal to add to his trophy case? The Montreal Canadiens also weren't a team many expected to make noise after the break, but the reality of what was to come took many by surprise.

Most point to the first line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky as the catalysts to the Canadiens' rise and possible playoff berth. However, the quiet leader of the surge has been Montembeault, who has been one of the league's best goaltenders since returning. He has a 6-0-1 record over seven games, owning a 1.96 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. Montembeault also added a shutout, which put him in impressive company in Canadiens lore.

Can Montembeault keep it going for the rest of the season and put in a Carey Price-esque performance in the postseason? It may seem like a bit of a stretch to suggest the latter part of that question, but the first part can be easily done. The logjam for the final wild card spot is starting to free up, and the Canadiens look to be in the driver's seat at claiming one of the two wild card spots. With Montembeault leading the team, it seems like anything can be possible.

Was it the experience of being in the room with those players, or was it the motivation to elevate into the top-two of Team Canada's goalie rotation and dress for the Olympics in 2026? Regardless, the Canadiens will take the new-look goaltender they now have in Montreal.