Pascal Vincent didn’t like facing Samuel Montembeault with Columbus

DansLesCoulisses.com
Pascal Vincent didn’t like facing Samuel Montembeault with Columbus
Credit: NHL.com

After a disastrous start to the season, Samuel Montembeault will have the chance to get back on track with a stint in Laval.

Now with the Rocket, Montembeault will have to take orders from head coach Pascal Vincent. The latter had kind words for the goaltender on Wednesday.

Vincent confessed to the media that, when he was with the Blue Jackets, he didn't like facing Samuel Montembeault because he knew he was a good goalie.

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These are good words to give Montembeault back his confidence. We know what he's capable of and he needs confidence and practice to get back to his playing level.

The only thing is, Pascal Vincent's words would apply better to an NHL elite goaltender.

It's true that Montembeault beat the Blue Jackets in his two starts against them during Pascal Vincent's 2023-24 season as head coach, but he was far from the NHL's elite at the time.

Monty had finished that season 39th in the NHL in save percentage (.903) and 51st in goals-against average (3.14) among goaltenders having played at least 10 games.

The remark may have been a little exaggerated, but it's easy to understand why Pascal Vincent decided to respond in kind. Praising your player will always be better than planting him in public.

And Pascal Vincent isn't the kind of person to plant members of his organization in front of the media.

The Rocket head coach also made a point of saying that the outcome of the games will be of little importance in Montembeault's case, and he's a little right.

In 2021, Carey Price was traded to the Rocket for a one-game reconditioning period when he returned from injury. It's not the same situation, but Price wasn't even scintillating, allowing two goals on 15 shots. Yet he rejoined the Habs a few days later to begin the dream playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final.

So it wouldn't be a disaster if Samuel Montembeault doesn't put in a monster performance in the Rocket's next two games.


Overtime

– There is indeed room for improvement for Noah Dobson.

– Slowly but surely for David Reinbacher.

– Nothing goes right for the former Montreal CF coach.

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