Samuel Montembeault has been smoking hot since the beginning of December.
Maybe it coincides with him being named to Canada’s squad for the 4 Nations Tournament, but he’s really good.
He has won three of his last four matches and let’s just say he deserves to receive flowers.
That said, Monty’s numbers are really interesting when you take the time to analyze them:
- 31 saves on 32 shots against the Islanders (.968)
- 29 saves on 29 shots against the Preds (1,000)
- 31 saves on 35 shots against the Caps (.886)
- 27 saves on 29 shots against the Ducks (.931)
From December 2 to 8 (i.e. in the games against the Islanders, the Preds and the Capitals), the Quebecer had a goals against average of 1.67.
But even though he gave up four goals against the Capitals, he has his place among the NHL goaltenders of the week:
This is a great honor.
Especially in the context where this is the second time in less than a month that he has been named among the goalkeepers of the week.
At this level, I imagine that the leaders of Team Canada are taking notes.
Montembeault was the last goalkeeper elected to the team… But that doesn’t mean he won’t have the chance to play.
And if he continues to be this solid in front of the net between now and the start of the tournament, maybe that will encourage the team’s leaders to trust him from the start.
That would be a great story!
All in all, it must also be said that Monty’s performance in front of the net seems to give confidence to his teammates as well. Sam has been doing an outstanding job in front of his net lately and the team is really playing better in front of him too.
It makes a difference when the guys help him and I tend to believe it’s not a coincidence.
In burst
– An outdoor match in Florida?
– Hello, Filip !
– Speaking of the Rocket:
– It’s going to brew…
– This was to be expected.
