Canadiens Goalkeeper Situation Post-Olympic Hiatus
Upon their return from the Olympic hiatus, the Montreal Canadiens’ head coach, Martin St-Louis, indicated that he would alternate between his goalkeepers in the initial week back, allowing both to regain their rhythm. Samuel Montembeault faced off against the New York Islanders, while Jakub Dobes took on the Washington Capitals. With both players having had their opportunities, the focus now shifts to St-Louis’s decision regarding who will guard the net in their upcoming match against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.
Sharks’ Recent Performance
The Sharks have been finding their form post-break, securing victories in two out of three contests, and are currently on the fringes of contention for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, trailing by three points. This backdrop adds extra weight to St-Louis’s decision. Canadiens supporters are encouraged to share their thoughts on who should start in net—Montembeault or Dobes—with plenty of debate expected online.
Goalkeeper Performances
In his outing against the Islanders, Montembeault struggled, conceding four goals on 26 attempts, resulting in a save percentage of just .846. Although one of those goals was a deflection from Anders Lee that left Montembeault with little chance, two of Matthew Schaefer’s strikes came from long range, raising questions about the netminder’s performance under pressure. Clearly, a starting goalie needs to deliver game-changing saves when it counts most.
Conversely, Dobes had a commendable performance against the Capitals, allowing just two goals—both by the legendary Alexander Ovechkin—while stopping 27 of 29 shots, earning an impressive .931 save percentage. The first of Ovechkin’s goals stemmed from a rebound that found its way past the Canadiens’ defensemen, Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, while the second came when Ovechkin was left unchecked in the slot, again illustrating limitations beyond Dobes’s control.
Statistical Insights
Importantly, the outcomes of their respective games also reflect sharply on their performances: the Canadiens achieved victory with Dobes in goal, maintaining an assertive posture throughout the game, in stark contrast to their passive play that came with Montembeault, which led to a loss.
Historical data further supports Dobes’s case, as he hasn’t lost a game in regulation since December 9, while Montembeault has experienced defeat in two of his last five starts. In light of these statistics, many analysts believe Dobes should indeed be the one to start against the Sharks.
Looking Ahead
With six back-to-backs still remaining in the regular season, a split between the two goalies seems inevitable to manage their workload, especially as three of these back-to-backs are just around the corner. This suggests that both netminders will see ample playing time in the coming weeks. Ultimately, the Canadiens will have to rely on whoever emerges as the more reliable option moving forward, as the race for playoff position heats up.
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