The season has not started the way Samuel Montembeault would have hoped. He is coming off the best season of his career, where he had a 2.80 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage, helping the Canadiens make their first playoff berth since 2021. His stellar play earned him a spot on Team Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
With hopes of making Canada’s roster for the 2026 Olympic team in Milan, Montembeault needed to come out of the gates with something to prove, but struggled to put a complete game together. He would have moments where he looked like the Montembeault of last season, but then would let in a couple of goals a game that he really should have saved. His last two outings have been different, and the Canadiens are hoping that he is back on the right track.
Waiver claim to reliable starter
When Montembeault first got to Montreal, no one could have guessed he would be the future starting goalie for the Canadiens. Originally a waiver-wire pick-up from the Florida Panthers, Montembeault has developed into a quality starting goalie, but so far this season, he looks like the goalie who first got to Montreal, not the player we saw last season.
Statistically, it has been his toughest stretch since his first season in Montreal. His .864 save percentage is his lowest since 2021–22, and his 3.46 goals-against average is the second-worst mark of his career.. However, it is not all doom and gloom; with his performances against the Philadelphia Flyers and the Utah Mammoth, Montembeault may have finally found his groove.
Potential turnaround
Minus the first period against the Flyers, Montembeault has put together five straight periods of solid play. It looked like Montembeault was completely broken in the first period against the Flyers, letting in three goals on the first six shots, but he rebounded, stopping the next 35 of the 36 shots he faced despite losing in shootouts.
He still has yet to be excellent throughout an entire game, but it is a step forward in the right direction. His best game of the season so far came in his most recent start against the Mammoth. He stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced as the Canadiens poured in the goals, winning 6-2.
Key test against the Kings
The Canadiens have a tough match-up tonight against the Los Angeles Kings, and Montembeault has been given the nod to start the contest. He will be looking to continue his improved play, proving to the team and the fan base that he is not ready yet to relinquish the starting job.
With a win tonight, the Canadiens will sit just one point back of the Colorado Avalanche for first in the NHL, and will need Montembeault to be on top of his game to achieve that.