As the Olympic Games draw ever closer, the world of hockey finds itself holding its breath—especially in Montreal, where the spotlight has shifted to one man: Samuel Montembeault. For months, the possibility of seeing the Canadiens’ netminder don the maple leaf and represent Team Canada in Italy has been a source of pride, excitement, and heated debate among fans and analysts alike. But as the final roster selection looms, the atmosphere surrounding Montembeault has taken a dramatic turn, and the stakes have never been higher.

It’s a rare moment when a single player’s journey can encapsulate the hopes of a city and the ambitions of a nation. Yet, for Montembeault, this Olympic cycle has been exactly that—a rollercoaster of opportunity and uncertainty, magnified by every save and every goal allowed. His recent participation in the prestigious Four Nations tournament seemed to signal a bright future, positioning him as a leading candidate for Canada’s top goaltending job on the world’s biggest stage. The dream felt within reach, and the path ahead appeared clear.

But hockey, like life, is rarely predictable. As the new season began, something shifted. Each game, once just another chapter in a long campaign, suddenly became a referendum on Montembeault’s Olympic readiness. The pressure, once a gentle nudge, has now become a weighty presence—one that grows heavier with every passing night at the Bell Centre. With Team Canada’s decision-makers watching from the stands, the scrutiny is relentless, and the margin for error has all but disappeared.

Inside the Canadiens’ locker room, there is an air of quiet support. Coaches and teammates alike have rallied around their goaltender, offering words of encouragement and steadfast belief in his abilities. Yet, beneath the surface, a different story may be unfolding. The tension is palpable, the expectations immense, and the outcome far from certain. In recent games, moments of brilliance have been overshadowed by costly mistakes, and the narrative has begun to shift in ways few could have predicted.

For fans and observers, the situation raises more questions than answers. How much does the pressure of Olympic selection truly impact a player’s performance? Can Montembeault rise above the noise and reclaim his place among the elite, or is the dream slipping away with each difficult outing? What does this saga reveal about the nature of professional sports, where the line between triumph and heartbreak is often razor thin?

As the weeks tick by and the Olympic deadline approaches, the story of Samuel Montembeault is quickly becoming one of the most compelling dramas in hockey. Every save, every goal, and every glance from Team Canada’s brass adds another layer to the unfolding mystery. Will he find redemption and seize his moment on the world stage, or will the pressure prove too great, leaving fans to wonder what might have been?

The answers remain elusive, and the next chapter has yet to be written. One thing is certain: the fate of Samuel Montembeault, and perhaps Team Canada’s Olympic hopes, hangs in the balance—and the whole hockey world is watching.

Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault and team Canada logo

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

The pressure surrounding Samuel Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens is becoming a real topic as the selection for the Olympic Games approaches.

With his participation in the Four Nations tournament, the chances of making the national team for the next Olympic Games, which will take place in a few months in Italy, were good for Samuel.

However after a difficult start to the season, each game now seems to carry more weight than before.

This creates a tension that could easily affect his performances without anyone truly realizing it.

Even though nothing has been decided yet, he unfortunately continues to dig his own grave.

The Canadiens’ Olympic pressure

Samuel Montembeault knows that the Team Canada executives are watching each of his games closely.

On Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, Team Canada executives, such as Doug Armstrong, were in the stands to analyze his play, but also the play of his counterpart.

According to the Sportsnet article, this game against the Kings came at the worst possible moment for him.

He allowed several goals in a short span of time, and the game slipped away quickly, especially in the 2nd period with one particular play, when he handed the puck to Kevin Fiala.

Sportsnet notes that since the start of the 2025-2026 season, he has posted a save percentage of .861, which places him 51st out of 54 goalies who have played a minimum of five games.

The 5-1 loss to Los Angeles clearly did not help his case in the fight for his Olympic spot.

Martin St. Louis is trying to calm things down.

He recently said:

“I think we have 2 goalies, we’ve played pretty well as a group, we weren’t sharp in front of Monty tonight so I’m not worried.”

Nick Suzuki also supported his goaltender, stating:

“He’s been playing better lately, and we just want his confidence to stay high.”

– Nick Suzuki

These words show that the locker room remains behind him.

But the real challenge lies elsewhere.

The battle is mainly between the ears.

I sincerely believe that this pressure could block him instead of helping him.

And it’s in these moments that a goaltender can lose his bearings.

But it’s also in these situations that we can see a person’s character.

We’ll have to see how he responds in the coming weeks.

Personally, I believe his chances for team Canada have slipped away, but I know he has the tools to get out of this storm.