The Canadiens have made their decision in net for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators: it’ll be Samuel Montembeault getting the start, with Jakub Dobeš stepping aside after a stretch where he had an opportunity to make his case for the No. 1 job.
Head coach Martin St. Louis has once again turned to the 29-year-old Montembeault, opting for the veteran presence over the younger Dobeš, who has shown flashes but hasn’t fully locked down the crease just yet.
Let’s break down what this move means.
Montembeault Gets the Nod
For Montembeault, this is a chance to reassert himself in a goaltending rotation that’s still very much in flux. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound netminder was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers in the third round back in 2015, and while his numbers this season-5-5-1 with a 3.49 goals-against average and an .864 save percentage-don’t jump off the page, he brings NHL experience and a steadier hand in high-pressure situations.
It’s not just about the stats for Montembeault. He’s been through the ups and downs of an NHL season, and that kind of poise can be invaluable, especially against a division rival like Ottawa.
Dobeš Sits, But the Door Isn’t Closed
As for Jakub Dobeš, this isn’t a setback so much as a pause. The 24-year-old Czech goaltender has been intriguing to watch this season. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he’s got the size NHL teams covet, and with an 8-3-2 record, a 3.22 GAA, and a .888 save percentage, he’s shown he can battle through games even when things get chaotic in front of him.
Looking at his career numbers-15-7-5 with a 2.96 GAA and a .899 save percentage-it’s clear Dobeš has the tools. What he doesn’t have yet is consistency, and that’s what Montembeault is being trusted to deliver on Tuesday night.
What This Means for the Habs
This decision gives us a pretty clear picture of how Martin St. Louis is approaching this game.
Against a Senators team that can generate offense in bunches, he’s going with the more seasoned option between the pipes. It’s a vote of confidence in Montembeault’s ability to manage the moment, and perhaps a signal that the Canadiens are looking to stabilize things defensively heading into a key stretch of the season.
The Canadiens’ goaltending situation remains one of the more fluid ones in the league. There’s no entrenched No. 1, and both Montembeault and Dobeš are still in the mix to earn that title. For now, though, the crease belongs to Montembeault.
We’ll see if he makes the most of it.