The Montreal Canadiens may have just turned a significant page in their goaltending chapter. When they called up Jacob Fowler for the game against the Ottawa Senators, it raised eyebrows about the future of Samuel Montembeault. Fowler's clutch performance, particularly his game-saving stop against Claude Giroux, was a standout moment that kept the Canadiens in the lead.
Following Fowler's impressive display, the Canadiens clarified their goaltending strategy for the remainder of the season. They made a move by acquiring AHL goalie Hunter Shepard from the Senators, hinting that Fowler might be sticking around in Montreal for a while. With Fowler and Jakub Dobes sharing the net in recent games, it seems Montembeault might have already seen his last action this season.
A Season of Contrasts for Montembeault
Montembeault's journey this season has been anything but predictable. Last year, he was the Canadiens' rock between the pipes, earning a spot on Team Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster.
His numbers were stellar, boasting a 2.80 goals against average and a .902 save percentage. He even ranked fifth in the NHL for goals saved above expected, with a remarkable 24.6.
His contributions were pivotal in the Canadiens' playoff run, making this season’s struggles all the more surprising.
The expectation was that Montembeault would be a key factor in another playoff push. However, things started off rocky with a 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs, where he allowed three goals on 25 shots.
The issue hasn't been his overall play but rather the nature of the goals he's conceded. His goals saved above expected has plummeted to -4.9, and his save percentage has dipped to a career-low 0.872, alongside a 3.43 goals against average.
The Canadiens have been proactive in trying to revive their top goalie's form. Montembeault was sent to the Laval Rocket for a conditioning stint during Fowler’s initial call-up in December, hoping to reignite last season's magic.
When that didn't pan out, they made a coaching change, replacing Eric Raymond with Marco Marciano. Yet, the desired turnaround didn't materialize, leading to Fowler's recall as the team's best option.
A New Era in Net
With Fowler and Dobes now sharing duties, Montembeault finds himself watching from the press box. Unless injuries occur, his season with the Canadiens might be over. With 16 games left, the Canadiens are focusing on players who can help them secure a playoff spot in the fiercely competitive Eastern Conference.
Montembeault's future with the Canadiens seems uncertain. With Dobes and Fowler representing younger, potentially more promising options at ages 24 and 21, the team might be leaning towards the future. Montembeault's peak might have been last season, and now the Canadiens' management faces crucial decisions about their goaltending lineup as they look ahead to the offseason.