Samuel Montembeault is discreetly rewriting the script of his career.
No need for fireworks or big speeches to understand that the Quebec goalkeeper is on the rise.
With a consistency that did not go unnoticed, Montembeault offered a performance that inspires respect, game after game.
Since Cayden Primeau returned to Laval and Jakub Dobes joined the club, something has changed in his game.
Less pressure on the shoulders? Maybe.
Increased motivation in the face of the presence of a young prodigy pushing behind? Absolutely.
In any case, the results speak for themselves. Montembeault displays a level of play that could place him among the most consistent goaltenders in the league in recent months.
The Canadian’s strategy with regard to its goalkeepers has finally found its balance.
Jakub Dobes, with three victories in three starts this season, plays his auxiliary role perfectly.
This duo seems to work wonderfully: Montembeault looks more confident, and Dobes shows that he is ready to take on challenges.
If Martin St-Louis has proven one thing, it’s that he knows how to manage his resources, and that includes the goalie position.
“We have a lot of consistency at the moment. We repeat the good things on the ice »declared Montembeault after the game against the Dallas Stars.
The Canadian, once seen as a bottom team, is climbing the rankings and entering the conversation for a playoff spot.
A 7-2-1 record in their last ten games is no accident.
And in this renaissance, Montembeault plays a central role.
When fans started chanting “Monty!” Monty! » at the Bell Centre, it was much more than a simple cry of encouragement.
It was recognition. A validation that the 26-year-old goalkeeper is one of the catalysts of this team.
Montembeault, however, is not getting carried away by the euphoria. “It’s a good test, especially on a back-to-back. I think we presented ourselves well”he commented after another solid performance.
This pragmatism, this ability to remain anchored in the present, is perhaps his greatest strength. He knows the storm is coming: the race for the playoffs does not forgive mistakes, and every point counts.
But he also knows that this calmness he displays, this control, is exactly what his team needs right now.
Another interesting element in this equation is pressure management. Before the arrival of Dobes, Montembeault had to carry the team almost single-handedly.
With a second reliable goalkeeper in Dobes, he finally has some air. And that translates onto the ice.
Less mental wear and tear, more concentration on the matches in which he is lined up. It’s a balance that could well be the key to a successful end to the season.
The Canadian, for his part, seems to have found his rhythm.
Martin St-Louis has spoken on several occasions about the “recipe” that his team now applies consistently. “We have a mentality of taking care of the team”he explained.
And that mentality starts with defense, with Montembeault as the anchor.
His key saves are not only spectacular; they breathe life into his teammates, allow them to play with confidence and exploit their own strengths.
But make no mistake: there is still a long way to go. The playoffs are not guaranteed, and the National League is unforgiving.
Montembeault knows this, and that’s precisely why he focuses on each game, one save at a time. “The league doesn’t care where you are in the rankings. You have to deserve every match”recalled St-Louis.
And with Montembeault in goal, the Canadian gives himself this chance to deserve.
While other teams are considering their options for the trade deadline, Montreal looks at its roster and sees a solid foundation forming.
Montembeault, with its calm and regularity, is one of these cornerstones. And with the storm of the series approaching, this calm could well make all the difference.
In the meantime, supporters will continue to chant his name.
Because for now, in this city where hockey is king, Samuel Montembeault is the man for the job.
And who knows? Perhaps this calm before the storm is exactly what the Canadian needs to write a new memorable page in its history.
Amen
