Martin St-Louis turns to Jakub Dobes in net as Samuel Montembeault faces harsh reality
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Samuel Montembeault has been pushed aside by Martin St-Louis, a firm decision that reshapes the Montreal Canadiens crease at a critical point in the season.
Seven straight games without dressing. Not even backing up. That's not a rotation. That's a clear call from the bench.
Montembeault opened the year as the number one after playing 62 games last season. He carried the load and gave structure to the lineup.
This season has gone the other way. In 25 games, he owns a 3.43 GAA and a .872 save percentage.
Last year, those numbers were 2.80 and .902. That drop forced St-Louis to look elsewhere.
Jakub Dobes stepped in and hasn't given the net back.
Jakub Dobes takes over while Montembeault responds
Dobes has appeared in 35 NHL games with a 2.88 GAA and a .896 save percentage. Calm, efficient, and steady enough to earn trust.
Earlier in his run, he posted a 2.74 GAA and .909 save percentage, showing he can raise his level.
That gave St-Louis a reason to ride him. And right now, he is.
Meanwhile, Montembeault sits at 231 career NHL games with a 3.23 GAA and .896 save percentage. A solid track record, but trending down this year.
That trend cost him his crease. But what followed might matter just as much.
After a Canadiens win, Dobes was named player of the game. All eyes were on the young goalie.
And right there beside him, Samuel Montembeault was smiling.
Not a forced reaction. Not a quick tap on the pads. A genuine moment. He looked happy seeing his teammate succeed.
That moment travels in a locker room. Players notice who supports and who pulls away.
Because let's be clear. Dobes didn't just get a few starts. He took Montembeault's net.
And still, the Canadiens' number 35 keeps backing him, showing exactly what kind of teammate he is.
Montembeault isn't making this about himself. He's not creating noise. He's staying aligned with the group.
That matters for a team sitting at 88 points in 70 games, right in the mix.
The Canadiens don't need distractions. They need buy-in. Montembeault is giving them that.
His performance hasn't met expectations this season. That part is real.
But his attitude inside the room? That hasn't slipped at all.
And if the crease opens again, that professionalism could carry just as much weight as any stat line.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 25|51 ANSWERS Martin St-Louis turns to Jakub Dobes in net as Samuel Montembeault faces harsh reality Does Samuel Montembeault deserve another chance in net soon ? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 47.1 % |
| No | 27 | 52.9 % |
| List of polls | ||