Samuel Montembeault responded in the best possible way to those who, in recent days, saw in him only a goalkeeper on borrowed time, Hockey30 included.
In Quebec, more and more people were loudly proclaiming that Jakub Dobeš should become the number one goalie for the Montreal Canadiens.
Influential figures like Tony Marinaro had bluntly stated that they had more confidence in Dobeš than in Montembeault.
And what of the journalists who demanded that the young Czech goalkeeper, still undefeated in five starts, deserves more opportunities?
But last night, against the Tampa Bay Lightning and his head coach Jon Cooper – the same one who will lead him with Team Canada – Montembeault responded with strength and determination.
A flawless performance, constant concentration, and above all, an attitude that spoke volumes about his state of mind.
After the match, in front of the media, Montembeault was not smiling. His closed, almost angry face sent an unequivocal message: he was tired of being underestimated, tired of hearing that his time was limited.
It took character to bounce back after the humiliation in Toronto. Montembeault, criticized like never before on social networks after conceding six goals against the Maple Leafs, knew that this game against Tampa Bay was a turning point.
And he delivered a performance that lived up to expectations. Stop after stop, he held the fort against the Lightning’s formidable attack, multiplying key interventions and proving that he could be the long-term solution for the Habs.
Going up against Cooper, a coach who will have to quickly decide who will be Canada’s starting goaltender, added an extra level of pressure.
And yet, Montembeault rose to the challenge brilliantly, demonstrating that he is capable of surpassing himself in the spotlight.
A direct message to Dobeš… and to us.
Montembeault did not need words to make everyone understand that he refuses to cede his throne to Dobeš.
His actions spoke for themselves. For 60 minutes, he proved that he can handle pressure, that he can be the wall the Canadian needs, and above all, that he still has his place as number one goalkeeper when he plays this way.
The next step is to no longer have matches where the channel lands. Montembeault must learn not to be pierced like a sieve when things are not going well. He must learn to limit the damage, because he is either extraordinary or downright bad.
The tension was evident after the meeting. No exaggerated celebration, no smile of satisfaction. Montembeault had the look of a competitor, of a warrior who refuses to be defeated.
His attitude contrasted sharply with that of a player simply relieved to win. He wanted to prove a point, and he did so brilliantly.
Jakub Dobeš remains a threat, but Montembeault has not said his last word
Certainly, Dobeš still remains undefeated in five starts, and his statistics remain impressive. But this game against the Lightning reminded us of one essential thing: experience and the ability to bounce back matter just as much as raw statistics.
Dobeš has not yet had to face a real media storm, resounding poor performances or challenges as brutal as those that Montembeault has experienced in recent days.
Montembeault has shown that he has what it takes to survive in a market as demanding as Montreal, where every stop is scrutinized and every misstep magnified.
Montembeault won this battle, but the war is far from over. If his performance against the Lightning temporarily silenced the critics, he will have to follow up with other performances of the same caliber to solidify his status.
The pressure won’t go away, and Dobeš remains in his rearview mirror, ready to pounce at the slightest opportunity.
Samuel Montembeault didn’t need to speak after his brilliant performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
-His closed face, his fiery gaze, and his uncompromising attitude said it all.
The Quebec goalkeeper, often overshadowed by the praise for Jakub Dobeš and the expectations surrounding Jacob Fowler, had obviously had enough.
He had heard all the criticism, all the whispers, and he responded the only way a true competitor can: by winning.
He had also recently admitted to the media: it deeply irritated him that all the attention in Montreal was focused on Dobeš and Fowler, while he had carried the team on his shoulders during difficult times.
Montembeault never shied away from pressure, but he was tired of being treated as a simple transition goalie, a number one by default.
“I hear all that. I know what is being said. »
These words were spoken in a calm tone, but behind this apparent serenity, there was a man wounded in his pride, ready to prove that he is still the trusted guardian of the Habs.
Last night, it was with this suppressed anger that he took to the ice, and each stop was a message sent to those who already saw him give up his place.
From the first half you could see that something had changed. Montembeault, usually smiling and relaxed, displayed an icy seriousness.
There were no bursts of joy after his key saves, no slaps on the pads. He was on a mission. And this mission was simple: to silence his detractors, once and for all.
After the match, journalists expected to see the usual Montembeault, the one who laughs, who answers questions with a smile.
But this time it was different. His look spoke for him. No smile. No self-satisfaction. Just a clear message: I’m still here, and I don’t intend to disappear.
At a press conference, when asked if he had heard the criticism, Montembeault simply shrugged his shoulders, but his look said it all.
He knew what people were saying, he knew that several media outlets had loudly proclaimed that Dobeš deserved more starts. But instead of responding with words, he let his judgments speak for him.
Even if this victory is a resounding response to his detractors, Montembeault knows that the pressure will not disappear. Dobeš is still there, undefeated in five starts, with impressive stats that make him a serious contender for the number one position.
Every bad game by Montembeault will be dissected, every misstep will be amplified.
Reactions from supporters are mixed. Many, seduced by the rise of Dobeš, continue to believe that the future belongs to the young Czech goalkeeper.
But Montembeault’s performance against Tampa Bay sowed doubt. Montreal is a city that loves fighters, and Montembeault has proven that he is one.
On social media, some are forced to admit that they may have been too harsh on him.
“Respect to Montembeault. He delivered the goods this evening. »
Others, more cautious, prefer to wait to see if he can repeat the feat over several consecutive matches.
However, one thing is certain: Samuel Montembeault has just sent a clear message to all those who had already buried him. It’s here to stay.
In our teeth.
Related News :