In a bold move, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis is putting his trust in goaltender Samuel Montembeault, despite the team's recent struggles. But here's where it gets controversial... St. Louis wants Montembeault to be his top goalie, even though the stats might suggest otherwise.
Montembeault has had a tough start to the season, with a record of 3-3 and a save percentage of .839. Meanwhile, his backup, Jakub Dobes, has been on fire with a 6-0 record and a stellar .930 save percentage. So why is St. Louis sticking with Montembeault?
The coach believes in the importance of having a clear number one goalie, a strategy that contrasts with the Boston Bruins' rotation system last season. St. Louis wants Montembeault to take on the majority of the workload and is working to help him regain his form. With 212 games of NHL experience, Montembeault has shown consistency over the last three seasons, posting save percentages above .900.
And this is the part most people miss... St. Louis isn't just relying on Montembeault blindly. He knows he has a reliable backup in Dobes, which gives him the flexibility to make this decision. It's a calculated risk, and one that could pay off if Montembeault can find his rhythm.
In other news, St. Louis is making a lineup change for the game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Brendan Gallagher, who is yet to score this season, will switch lines with Joe Veleno. This move aims to free up Gallagher from some defensive responsibilities, which could be a key factor in getting him back on the scoresheet.
Speaking of the Flyers, Canadiens star Cole Caufield will face off against two close friends, Christian Dvorak and Trevor Zegras. Caufield and Dvorak were teammates and roommates in Montreal, while Caufield and Zegras played together in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. It will be an interesting reunion, with Caufield leading the Canadiens in goals this season.
So, what do you think? Is St. Louis making the right call by sticking with Montembeault? Or should he be giving Dobes more playing time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! We'd love to hear your opinions on this intriguing goalie situation.
