Sam Montembeault has had a relatively solid season so far for the Montreal Canadiens, but there’s still work to be done if the team is to remain in playoff contention. As Montembeault prepares to represent Canada in the upcoming Four Nations Tournament, his performance has been a mix of good and inconsistent.
While there have been positives, including three shutouts and a 2.99 goals-against average, it’s clear that Montembeault needs a strong hot streak to help push the Canadiens towards the postseason.
Inconsistent Performances
When you look at Montembeault’s advanced stats, his performance is difficult to pin down. At times, he ranks in the top 31 goalies, but other times, he doesn’t even come close. He has been a bit of a wild card, making it tough to predict his performance. For example, he posted an impressive outing against Dallas but struggled in a game against Toronto. Over his last four games, he’s posted a 2-2 record, which reflects his inconsistency.
Overall, Montembeault is slightly below-average compared to other NHL goalies. While he’s been able to keep his team in games, the Canadiens will need more from him if they want to make a serious push for the playoffs.
The Mental Battle of Being the #1 Goalie
It’s clear that Montembeault is the #1 goalie for the Canadiens at this point in the season. There’s no real talk of replacing him right now, and it’s understandable why. Being a backup goalie is a much different role than being the team’s top netminder. It’s a mental challenge, and Montembeault is tasked with carrying the team. The job comes with pressure, and maintaining consistency is key, something Montembeault is still working towards.
The Issues with Breakaways and Critical Saves
One area of Montembeault’s game that still needs improvement is his ability to stop breakaways. Currently, he has a 63% breakaway save percentage, which is significantly lower than other goalies like Logan Thompson, who has an 83% breakaway save percentage.
This weakness was evident in the Detroit game, where a short-handed goal by Andrew Copp slipped by Montembeault. While the defense in that game also had its issues, Montembeault will need to make those crucial saves to help his team.
In games like the Detroit match, where Montembeault made 45 saves but still got the loss due to giving up four goals, the blame shouldn’t entirely fall on him. The defense failed to support him, and sometimes, those things happen. However, Montembeault still needs to step up in critical moments, particularly when the defense breaks down.
The Path Forward
Montembeault has shown the ability to make key saves in the past, and he’s close to breaking through the NHL average goalie barrier. He’s demonstrated that he has the potential to be a solid starting goalie, but consistency is key. The Canadiens need Montembeault to find his rhythm and make more of those crucial saves, especially during key moments like breakaways.
The pressure is mounting, especially with Jakub Dobes performing well and making a name for himself. Montembeault needs to elevate his game soon to maintain his spot as the team’s number one goalie and keep the Canadiens’ playoff hopes alive.
While Sam Montembeault has had a decent season, there’s still room for improvement. His inconsistent performances, especially on breakaways and during crucial moments, are areas he needs to work on. As the Canadiens’ #1 goalie, Montembeault has the responsibility of guiding the team to the playoffs, but he will need to hit a hot streak soon. If he can consistently perform at a higher level, he can help the Canadiens make a playoff push and solidify his position as their starting goalie.
