It’s been a while since Montreal lived through one of these, hasn’t it? The last memorable goalie battle for the Canadiens was when Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak competed for supremacy. Truth be told, few fans miss the drama, and for good reason.
But if you’ve been reading social media, listening to Canadiens-focused shows, or following columns, you might sense the makings of another goalie debate. Samuel Montembeault or Jakub Dobeš—who should start games?
By the numbers
Before diving in, let’s acknowledge a universal truth in hockey: statistics only tell part of the story. A trained, educated eye often reveals what numbers miss—especially when it comes to goaltending. This has been proven time and again, as described in Through the Mask.
With that said, let’s look at the numbers this season. To highlight Montembeault’s inconsistency, we’ve split his stats between wins and losses. So far, he has 16 of each:
| WINS | STATS | LOSSES |
| 16 | GP | 16 |
| 420 | SA | 414 |
| 397 | SV | 348 |
| .945 | SV% | .841 |
| 23 | GA | 66 |
| 1.49 | GAA | 4.84 |
| 3 | SO | 0 |
January Snapshot
So far in January, Montembeault has played five games, posting a 2-2-1 record with a 3.61 GAA and a .871 SV%. Meanwhile, heading into the game against the New York Rangers, Jakub Dobeš boasts a perfect 4-0-0 record, a stunning 0.98 GAA, and a .963 SV%, including a shutout against the Florida Panthers.
It’s unfair to lay all the blame on Montembeault. The Canadiens are a young team prone to mistakes and occasional collapses. But it’s equally unfair not to hold the 28 year-old accountable, especially when the same team has played in front of Dobeš with markedly better results.
Related article: Silencing Doubters: How Dobeš Is Proving His Worth
Montembeault’s rebound control has been a frequent topic of criticism. His struggles to smother pucks or redirect rebounds safely often result in extended zone time for opponents, second-chance opportunities, and a worn-down defense.
At his best, Montembeault is a solid 1B goaltender or a high-caliber backup. Unfortunately, he has been thrust into a starter’s role following Carey Price’s retirement due to injuries—”not his chair”, to borrow Martin St-Louis’ own words. His inconsistency, poor rebound control, and difficulty halting play when necessary are all glaring issues.
Folks, Monty is what he is. There is no doubt that he’s trying his best. It’s no reason to call him names and get personal. #GoHabsGo #Habs
— JD Lagrange (@jdlagrange.bsky.social) 2025-01-19T02:36:14.534Z
Time to Play the Hot Hand?
There’s a small contingent of fans who take offense when Montembeault’s shortcomings are pointed out. But a growing number of fans and media alike are beginning to see that perhaps, as the team becomes more competitive in a playoffs’ race, it’s time to ride the hot goalie.
To be clear, no one is ready to crown Jakub Dobeš the undisputed number one after just four NHL games. Far from it. However, it’s impossible to ignore his stellar performances and the fact that he has earned more starts.
At the end of the day, if you’re a Canadiens fan, what you should want above all else is to see the team win. Right now, the goaltender giving Montreal the best chance to win is Dobeš—and it’s not even close.
