October 13, 2024 | 10:30pm ET
By David Calabretta, TheFourthPeriod.com
MONTEMBEAULT PROVING TO BE LEGIT FOR MONTREAL
Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sam Montembeault, goaltender
MONTREAL, QC — All doubts must be dismissed after Samuel Montembeault’s impressive display in the opening week of the NHL season, going 2-0-0 versus two Atlantic giants, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators.
The consensus in Montreal shows that they are starting to gain trust in their goaltending situation for the first time since Carey Price.
On Oct. 9, during the Habs’ home opener at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens goaltender managed to secure a 48-save shutout in the team’s 1-0 victory over the archrival Toronto Maple Leafs. Montembeault set an NHL record for most saves in a season-opening shutout since stats began to be tracked in 1954-1955. He has emerged as a fan favourite, which was not always the case, and a great story where the netminder from Trois-Rivieres had to earn his spot every step of the way since arriving in Montreal.
Montembeault, 28, was claimed off waivers ahead of the 2021-22 season from the Florida Panthers, where he struggled to make his mark with the abundance of depth between Florida’s pipes with the likes of Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight, at the time.
Last season, Canadiens management was faced with a three-goaltender situation, involving Montembeault, Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau, three goalies signed on an NHL level deal. From October-November, Habs GM Kent Hughes and Co. were waiting to see who would step up as the true No.1 in La Belle Province.
With the Quebec native being a pending UFA, at the time, trade rumours started to swirl. However, after a great stretch of games, Montembeault truly separated himself from the other goalies and won himself the starting role, including a three-year contract extension. Allen was dealt to the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline and Primeau’s secured his spot as the club’s No.2.
“It's easier to manage, for sure. Three is harder, no doubt,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said following the opening day win over Toronto.
Montembeault may now also playing with a chip on his shoulder, with an obvious desire to be in the running to join Team Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal and Boston in February 2025, an event that replaces the NHL All-Star festivities this season. Team Canada doesn’t exactly have a No.1 locked yet for the upcoming tournament, with the likes of Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill looking to sneak into the fold. If Montembeault can continue to lead the Canadiens to wins and great performances, his name should most definitely be in consideration for GM Don Sweeney and Associate GM Jim Nill for the upcoming showcase – and with it taking place at the Bell Centre, cue the “Ole’s.”