Sam Montembeault showcases resiliency in Canadiens' bounce-back win over Lightning

After Sam Montembeault allowed seven goals in the Canadiens' epic collapse at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs in his last start, rumours began to swirl about Jakub Dobes stealing the net amidst his great play. However, Montembeault seemed to use the speculation as fuel, stepping onto the ice against Tampa Bay with something to prove.

It didn’t look promising early on. The Canadiens found themselves trailing 2-0 just two minutes into the second period, and another tough night seemed inevitable for Montembeault. But instead of crumbling, the netminder locked in, shutting the door for the remainder of the game. He made 15 crucial saves in the third period alone, standing tall when it mattered most and propelling his team to a 3-2 win.

"“He made some huge saves in huge moments, and I’m assuming that’s what Canada’s gonna want.”"

Jake Evans

Montembeault’s strong performance wasn’t just big for the Canadiens, who have now won two straight since their loss to Toronto, it was also critical for his confidence as a Team Canada goaltender heading into the Four Nations tournament. Playing his best hockey at this time is crucial, and this game could be a springboard for Montembeault’s form moving forward.

Montembeault to start in Detroit

Adding to his confidence, head coach Martin St. Louis and his staff confirmed Montembeault would start the Canadiens’ next game in Detroit. The decision sends a clear message of trust in their starter, even as Dobes continues to impress since his call-up.

Keeping Montembeault in rhythm and showing faith in him is essential for both his development and the team’s morale. It signals to the players that the coaching staff stands firmly behind their starter, creating unity and belief throughout the lineup every time the team plays in front of their goaltender. Playing for a goaltender your coaches do not trust creates a losing environment, something the Canadiens have avoided this season. The team is playing like they have full trust and confidence in each other lately, a definite factor behind this surge up the standings.

Montembeault showed off his tough skin and played against the Lightning like he had all the confidence in the world. Now, Montembeault has earned another chance to prove himself as the Canadiens aim to move past their rough loss to Toronto and build even more momentum. If his performance against the Lightning is any indication, Montembeault is ready to make the most of it once again.