Under the dazzling lights of Bell Centre, with the roar of Montreal’s faithful echoing through the rafters, a silent drama unfolded behind the scenes—one that could redefine the future of the Canadiens’ crease. Last night in Pittsburgh, while the spotlight shone on Jacob Fowler’s electrifying performance and the anxious gaze of fans fell upon the rookie, a far more subtle, yet equally seismic, decision was being made. Samuel Montembeault, the Quebec native whose journey has been marked by resilience and flashes of brilliance, stood quietly in the shadows, his fate hanging in the balance.

It’s the kind of moment that slips past casual observers but sends shockwaves through locker rooms and front offices. The Canadiens, faced with a goaltending crisis that has haunted them for seasons, could have chosen chaos: a blockbuster trade, a desperate gamble, or a public shake-up. Instead, they made a choice that is both bold and enigmatic—they doubled down on Montembeault, placing him ahead of the promising Jakub Dobes and signaling, at least for now, that the answer to their goaltending riddle lies not in new faces, but in faith and patience.

The scene last night was telling. While Fowler soaked in the glory of his first start, Dobes was relegated to the press box, and Montembeault quietly donned his mask as backup. It was a visual metaphor for the team’s internal recalibration, a reset not just for Montembeault, but for the entire organization. The message, whispered through Pierre LeBrun’s insider reports and echoed by Kent Hughes’ cautious approach, is clear: the Canadiens are resisting the urge to panic. Offers have come in, temptations dangled, but Montreal’s brass has chosen to trust their own, hoping that a brief reset can reignite the spark that once made Montembeault their most reliable option.

But beneath this calm exterior, questions swirl. Is this faith a masterstroke or a risky bet? The trade market is a minefield, as LeBrun notes, and a midseason solution is rarely as simple as it seems. The Oilers, desperate for answers last year, found none. Now, Montreal is gambling that their own reset can succeed where others have failed. Montembeault, once forgotten amid the chaos of revolving doors in goal, is being handed a lifeline—a chance to reclaim his status, silence the doubters, and prove that his best days are not behind him.

The stakes could not be higher. Fowler’s meteoric rise threatens to shift the hierarchy overnight, and Dobes, once considered the future, may soon find himself back with the Laval Rocket. The Canadiens are at a crossroads, and every save, every rebound, every moment of composure from Montembeault will be scrutinized like never before. Will he rise to the occasion, or will the pressure prove too much? Is this the beginning of a redemption arc, or the final chapter in a story that started with so much promise?

For fans and analysts alike, the intrigue is palpable. Montreal’s goaltending saga is far from over, and the next few weeks could define not just the season, but the legacy of those who dare to trust in their own. As the city holds its breath, one question remains: can Samuel Montembeault seize this moment and write his own comeback, or will the Canadiens’ gamble become their greatest regret? The answer, hidden behind the mask and the headlines, is waiting to be revealed.

Dec 2, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault (35) takes shots during warm-up before the game against the Ottawa Senators at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Imag

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Following what happened last night in Pittsburgh, the Montreal Canadiens have made their choice regarding Quebec goaltender Samuel Montembeault.

They have chosen to trust him and place him ahead of young Jakub Dobes in the hierarchy. In fact, if Jacob Fowler’s strong play continues, do not be surprised if Dobes is eventually sent back to the Laval Rocket.

As you can see, St-Louis had Samuel Montembeault backing up Fowler last night, with Dobes in the press box.

Pierre LeBrun reports that the Montreal Canadiens have decided to continue trusting Samuel Montembeault

According to Pierre Lebrun, even though there have clearly been offers, the Canadiens have decided to believe in Montembeault and not make a drastic move.

The Canadiens have also decided to focus internally to fix the team’s issues in goal, which notably explains the recall of Fowler.

“I mean, they still believe in Sam Montembeault. It’s not like the previous three years where he was a very durable and good goaltender that the Habs have forgotten that. They think that’s still in there. So they hope that a little reset here might help him bounce back here. And that’s certainly what they need.

You know, the hard thing with the trade market, Gino, is that if it was that easy to upgrade your, number one, the Oilers probably would have done it a year ago, right? It’s just difficult in season to just solve that riddle. And so that’s part of the reason why the Habs obviously hope to be able to figure this out internally before they have to look at the trade market.

– Pierre LeBrun

As LeBrun went on to say, Kent Hughes is not being extremely aggressive on the market to acquire a goaltender. He wants to wait and see if the situation can be resolved internally.

Do you think this is the right decision? Do you think Samuel Montembeault will eventually find his footing again?

I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens next with the Canadiens’ goaltenders, especially if Jacob Fowler stays on track.