When the Canadiens were rolling, everything seemed to be clicking. At least, that was the perspective of the coaching staff—and the general sentiment among Habs fans on social media. It didn’t matter if they fell behind 3-0 or 4-1; as long as they clawed back to steal a point, all was well.
But beneath the surface, that wasn’t the reality. Bad habits were creeping in, certain players were being relied upon more than they should have been, and the law of averages was starting to catch up with both the team and those players.
Goaltending
There’s been plenty of talk lately about Samuel Montembeault’s struggles, with many attributing them to “fatigue” after starting six straight games. But in the thick of Montreal’s first real playoff race in four years, Montembeault hasn’t been delivering when the team has needed him most.
Over his last four starts, he has allowed at least one or two questionable goals per game—momentum killers that have cost the team valuable points. His numbers tell the story:
- GAA: Over 4.00
- Save Percentage: Below .870
In some cases, his teammates have managed to overcome his setbacks to salvage a point, but that’s not a sustainable formula for success.
However, let’s be clear: for one, the team needs to play better in front of him. Mostly, this isn’t about fatigue. Or if it is, that raises a serious question about Montembeault’s conditioning. Plenty of NHL starters—Andrei Vasilevskiy, Connor Hellebuyck, Igor Shesterkin, Ilya Sorokin, Jake Oettinger—are playing as much or more and still performing at a high level. No one is making excuses about fatigue for them.
The fatigue argument also conveniently overlooks fundamental flaws in Montembeault’s game—namely, inconsistency and poor rebound control. Historically and up to today, goalies routinely played 60-70 games a season with much heavier equipment and tougher travel schedules, even by train. So let’s drop the fatigue excuse and look at the bigger issue.
A Tale of Two Goalies
The numbers paint a clear picture of Montembeault’s inconsistency, both home vs. away and in wins vs. losses:
Home vs. Away
|
GP |
W |
L |
OTL |
Sv% |
GAA |
SO |
|
|
Home |
32 |
17 |
11 |
4 |
.906 |
2.74 |
4 |
|
Away |
21 |
8 |
11 |
2 |
.887 |
3.20 |
0 |
Wins vs. Losses
|
|
GP |
W |
L |
OTL |
Sv% |
GAA |
SO |
|
Wins |
25 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
.938 |
1.72 |
4 |
|
Losses |
22 |
0 |
22 |
0 |
.849 |
4.52 |
0 |
It’s essentially two different goaltenders. One version plays well at home, another struggles on the road. One can play very well half the time, the other can sink them.
At the core, Montembeault is a good backup who’s being asked to do too much. To borrow a phrase from head coach Martin St-Louis, he’s playing in the wrong chair. He’s never been a consistent NHL starter, and at 28, his rebound control still isn’t where it needs to be for that role. If anything, he shares a lot of similarities with Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner—flashes of brilliance but plagued by inconsistency and shaky rebound control.
This isn’t a knock on Montembeault. It’s simply a reality check from someone who has played the position for over 25 years.
Matheson: Another Case
Mike Matheson has become a popular scapegoat among some Habs fans, but his situation mirrors Montembeault’s. He, too, is being asked to do too much.
The Canadiens are relying on Matheson to play 25-30 minutes a night, as if he’s a true No. 1 defenseman. But that’s not his game. He’s at his best when limited to 22-23 minutes max.
The absence of Kaiden Guhle hasn’t helped, as he would typically absorb some of those minutes. Jayden Struble has stepped up admirably, but he’s not Guhle, and the coaching staff is leaning far too heavily on Matheson as a result.
Again, this isn’t about blaming the player. It’s about understanding that when Matheson is overused—just like when he was forced to play on his off side—his game suffers.
Addressing Issues
At the end of the day, this isn’t entirely on the coaching staff. The real problem lies in roster construction. The Canadiens lack:
- A true No. 1 defenseman (preferably right-handed) to take pressure off Matheson.
- A reliable goalie tandem so Montembeault isn’t stretched beyond his capabilities.
- A legitimate second-line center to balance the offense.
These aren’t coaching issues; they’re roster issues. And unless Kent Hughes addresses them this offseason, the Canadiens will continue to ask players to fill roles they aren’t suited for—leading to the same inconsistent results.
