Under the bright lights of the Bell Centre, there’s a moment frozen in time: Josh Anderson, arms raised in triumph, rushing to embrace goaltender Sam Montembeault after a hard-fought victory. But fast-forward to a chilly night in Colorado, and the scene is starkly different—a defeated Anderson, jaw set and eyes fierce, stepping up to the microphones not to celebrate, but to defend his embattled teammates between the pipes. The contrast couldn’t be more striking, and it’s this raw emotion that now defines the swirling debate around the Montreal Canadiens’ goaltending, a storyline that refuses to fade as the season unfolds.

The Canadiens’ crease has become ground zero for controversy, with every soft goal and shaky rebound dissected by fans and analysts alike. The pressure is relentless, the scrutiny intense, and for the masked men tasked with holding the line, the burden is growing heavier by the day. Last night’s 7-2 defeat to the Avalanche—made even more surreal by Colorado’s throwback Nordiques uniforms—was a tipping point. Social media exploded with criticism, fingers pointed at Jakub Dobes after he surrendered seven goals on 36 shots, and whispers about Samuel Montembeault’s confidence filled the air.

But Josh Anderson had heard enough. In a post-game interview that crackled with frustration, Anderson didn’t mince words. He refused to let the blame settle solely on his goaltenders, instead turning the spotlight onto himself and his teammates. “None of those goals are his fault. It’s on us as players to be harder to play against,” he declared, his voice cutting through the noise. It was a message not just for Dobes, but for Montembeault as well—a rallying cry for accountability and unity in the face of mounting adversity.

Anderson’s candor didn’t just challenge the narrative; it shattered it. For weeks, the goaltending situation in Montreal has been a favorite target of criticism, dissected on talk shows, debated in online forums, and speculated about in trade rumors. But here was a leader refusing to let his teammates become scapegoats, demanding instead that the Canadiens play with more grit, discipline, and resolve in front of their net. His words resonated, offering a glimpse into the locker room’s mindset and the pressures shaping the team’s identity.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff’s decisions have added another layer of intrigue. Martin St-Louis’s choice to keep Dobes in net, rather than risk Montembeault’s fragile confidence in a lost cause, speaks volumes about the delicate balancing act required to manage goaltenders in today’s NHL. It’s a strategy that may yet pay dividends, but it also invites questions about the road ahead—who will start next, how will the team respond, and what changes are needed to stem the tide of criticism?

As the Canadiens prepare for their next challenge, the spotlight remains firmly on the crease, and the stakes have never felt higher. Will Anderson’s public stand galvanize the team, or will the scrutiny only intensify as the losses mount? Is Montembeault ready to reclaim his role as the backbone of the defense, or will Dobes get another chance to prove his mettle? The answers are still unfolding, but one thing is certain: in Montreal, the battle for respect, redemption, and results is just heating up.

Jan 17, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) celebrates the win with goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) against the Winnipeg Jets after the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens’ goaltending situation continues to generate a lot of discussion early this season.

And clearly, Josh Anderson hears everything being said about his goaltenders. Last night, after the loss to the Colorado Avalanche (wearing Quebec Nordiques colors), he’d had enough and delivered his message.

Josh Anderson is fed up with the criticism toward his goaltenders

In his view, it’s the players who need to do more to help their masked men. Here’s an excerpt of what he had to say, and let’s just say his message and tone were very clear.

“We felt confident coming in,” Canadiens forward Josh Anderson said.

“Obviously, tough bounce on the second goal. We didn’t like the call, but we go down 2-0 and then 3-0. We got to find ways to help out Dobes tonight. I mean, none of those goals are his fault. It’s on us as players to be harder to play against.”

– Josh Anderson

Here, he was speaking specifically about Jakub Dobes, but his message applies to Samuel Montembeault as well.

Also, regarding the goaltenders and what happened yesterday: remember that St-Louis chose not to pull Dobes because he was protecting the renewed confidence of Samuel Montembeault.

I’m curious to see what happens next, but I fully expect Samuel Montembeault to be in net for the Canadiens’ next game.

In the end, last night in Colorado, Jakub Dobes allowed 7 goals on 36 shots, but it’s true that the players in front of him didn’t help much to stop the bleeding.