The Canadiens’ Goaltending Crisis: Samuel Montembeault’s Struggles Are a Serious Concern
"Montembeault’s confidence is shaken, and the Habs need to help him get back on track, or risk derailing their playoff chances."
The Montreal Canadiens' goaltending situation has become a pressing issue, with
Once a steadily reliable netminder, Montembeault is now battling both technical and mental issues. His play has progressively worsened, with his most recent outing against the Edmonton Oilers resulting in an embarrassing
A major factor in his struggles appears to be his positioning. In previous seasons, Montembeault’s aggressive stance, standing in front of his crease, allowed him better control over his movements and rebounds. However, this season, he seems to be playing too far back in his net, which has significantly impacted his ability to challenge shots effectively and respond to puck traffic in front of the net.
It’s possible that Montembeault is still reeling from the groin injury that caused him to miss significant time during the 2024 playoffs. While he was able to return from a relatively mild wrist injury before, the groin injury may have left a more lasting mental scar. The effects of such injuries are not just physical — they can greatly impact a goaltender’s confidence and overall performance. If that’s the case, the Habs should seriously consider bringing in a
Montembeault himself has alluded to the mental aspect of his struggles, saying, “When you don’t have confidence and you’re out there every other night, it can be tough sometimes to kind of find it on the fly. And if you’re playing with just a little bit of swagger and confidence in yourself, it can go a long way.”
However, it's not just Montembeault's performance that's concerning. With Dobes proving to be a capable starting goaltender, the Habs can no longer afford to rely solely on him, as over-fatigue
If Montembeault can regain his form and bring his save percentage back above .905, the Canadiens could go with a split-goalie setup, which would give them the depth they need. But until that happens, the team has to address Montembeault's struggles — mentally and technically — in order to avoid a full-blown goaltending crisis.
Time is running out, and if Montembeault can’t rediscover his game soon, it will put unnecessary pressure on Dobes to carry the load for the entire season, risking burnout. The Habs must act quickly to fix Montembeault’s issues and get their goaltending back on track if they are to compete for the playoffs.
Canadiens Coach Reacts to Patrik Laine’s Long-Term Injury: “A Huge Blow, But We’ll Adapt”
"Montreal faces tough road ahead as Laine is set to miss 3-4 months after surgery."
The Montreal Canadiens have been hit with devastating news: Patrik Laine, the team's talented winger, will miss the next three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury. This marks the second consecutive season that Laine’s campaign has been derailed by a significant injury, and the timing couldn’t be worse for both the player and the team.
Head Coach of the Canadiens, Martin St. Louis, reacted to the news with a mixture of frustration and resolve, acknowledging the loss but stressing the importance of adaptation. “Losing Patrik for an extended period of time is a huge blow for us. He’s a key player, and we’ll miss his offensive ability and leadership on the ice. But we’re a team, and we’ll have to adapt. Our focus now is on supporting Patrik through his recovery, and when he’s ready to return, we’ll be here to welcome him back. In the meantime, we need others to step up and help fill the gap,”
This injury comes just as Laine was beginning to find his rhythm with the Canadiens, after a frustrating first season with the team. Last season, he missed significant time due to a preseason knee injury, and while he made a strong return, his performance waned in the latter part of the season and during the playoffs, where he was injured again in their series against
While Laine was able to make it through training camp healthy, the current season has not been kind. He was already struggling with limited ice time, having been relegated to fourth-line minutes after starting on the second line. In just
Laine's Determination to Return
Despite the setback, Laine remains determined to return stronger than ever. “It’s frustrating, of course, but I’m going to do everything I can to get back on the ice as soon as possible. I’ve been through injuries before, and I know the process. I’ll focus on my recovery, and when I’m healthy again, I’ll be ready to contribute to the team’s success. It’s not ideal, but I’m determined to come back stronger,”
The injury not only affects the Canadiens’ lineup but also Laine’s future. With this being a contract year, the long-term absence is expected to impact his value on the open market. Laine currently carries an
Montreal’s Next Steps
For the Canadiens, the focus now shifts to the next man up. With Laine out for months, they’ll need other players to step up in his absence.
Despite the tough situation, St. Louis remains optimistic that the team can overcome this challenge:
As the season continues without one of their top players, the Canadiens will need to adapt quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive. Laine’s absence is significant, but his eventual return could provide the spark needed to push the team toward success.
