Montembeault, Gallagher, and Laine: a plausible common theory

Montembeault, Gallagher, and Laine: a plausible common theory
Credit: Samuel Montembeault ne se voyait clairement pas disputé une telle saison cette année.

The Canadiens secured another (superb and spectacular) overtime victory last night against the Bruins. When it comes to the Habs and their excellent three-on-three play, we hear a lot less criticism about overtime periods that aren't played five-on-five.

Sorry, I just felt like trolling a bit this morning…
Everyone's talking about Cole Caufield this morning; no surprise there, he's the first 40-goal scorer for the Habs since 1994. In fact, since the team made the Bell Centre its home!

However, without Jakub Dobes' brilliance, the Canadiens might not have even picked up a point last night. And they certainly wouldn't have gotten two!

His save in overtime, just before Cole Caufield's goal, was worth a point all on its own.
Since Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton recalled Jacob Fowler from Laval, the Canadiens have had far fewer goaltending issues. They have some problems at the blue line, but not really in their crease.
Dobes gave up three, then two goals, while Fowler gave up two, then four. Most of the time, we're talking about goals that are hard to stop. Do I need to remind you of Samuel Montembeault's last game in Anaheim, when he gave up five goals, including two long-range blunders?
Since that start in California, Samuel Montembeault hasn't seen any action, not even a single minute in relief. He hasn't even been suited up as the backup goalie in the four games the Habs have played since Fowler was recalled.
I said it last week and I'll say it again this morning: there's no three-way rotation currently with the Canadiens. There are two goalies taking turns and a third who has been clearly identified as the third.
Remember that the Rocket traded for Hunter Shepard, a sign that Jacob Fowler is in Montreal to stay (though personally, I would have liked to see him take the reins of the Rocket in the playoffs to gain some experience in the AHL).
We'll see what Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton do with Samuel Montembeault this summer. He still has a year left on his contract, but I don't see him returning to Montreal next year. I believe he has indeed played his last game with the Habs, even though he says he's willing to do whatever it takes to stay with the team.

Samuel Montembeault clearly didn't see himself having a season like this one.
(Credit: X / screenshot)

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