The arena lights shimmered off the ice, casting twin reflections—one in the calm, seasoned gaze of Samuel Montembeault, the other in the restless, hungry eyes of Jakub Dobes. On a night when the Montreal Canadiens’ crease has become the hottest seat in hockey, a single photograph captures the tension: Montembeault, stoic and determined on the left, Dobes, focused and ambitious on the right, both framed by the iconic Canadiens logo looming in the background. It’s more than a portrait; it’s a snapshot of a franchise at a crossroads, and the debate raging behind the scenes is anything but ordinary.

As Montreal gears up for a brutal stretch of back-to-back games against powerhouse opponents, the question of who should guard the net has never felt more urgent—or more divisive. The numbers tell one story, the locker room whispers another. Last season, Montembeault was the reliable backbone, his veteran poise anchoring the team through highs and lows. But as the calendar flipped to 2025-26, the narrative shifted. His once-solid stats have faded, replaced by a goals-against average north of 3.26 and a save percentage hovering below .860. The city’s hockey fans, never shy about their opinions, have begun to wonder aloud: is Montreal’s pillar beginning to crack?

Enter Jakub Dobes, the 24-year-old upstart whose season has been anything but predictable. At times, Dobes dazzles with reflexes and poise that seem beyond his years; at others, he struggles with the growing pains of a young goalie thrust into the spotlight. Yet, as pressure mounts, Dobes has quietly exceeded expectations, turning heads with clutch saves and a hunger that can’t be taught. The dynamic between the two goaltenders is no longer just about numbers—it’s about identity, momentum, and the future of the franchise.

Renaud Lavoie’s recent revelation only adds fuel to the fire: Montembeault will start against the Vegas Golden Knights, while Dobes will get the nod against the Colorado Avalanche. The plan is clear, but the implications are anything but. Is this a sign of changing tides, or simply a strategic move to keep both goalies fresh? The answer depends on who you ask—and how you read between the lines.

For his part, Montembeault has handled the scrutiny with the kind of grace that only experience can bring. He’s publicly supported Dobes, insisting that healthy competition is good for the team and that the young goalie deserves his chance. This selfless attitude has kept the locker room united, but the underlying tension is impossible to ignore. As the Canadiens face a daunting schedule packed with elite opponents, every decision in the crease carries extra weight.

Will the veteran rediscover his form and reassert his dominance, or will the rookie seize the moment and rewrite the script? Behind the scenes, coaches and management are quietly weighing their options, knowing that the outcome could shape the team’s trajectory for months to come.

The only certainty is that the Canadiens’ crease is now the center of the hockey universe in Montreal. And as the weekend unfolds, fans everywhere will be watching, analyzing, and debating every save, every rebound, and every subtle shift in momentum. The story is just beginning, and its next chapter promises drama, intensity, and maybe even a surprise or two.

Jakub Dobes (left) Samuel Montembeault (right)

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

The debate surrounding the Montreal Canadiens’ crease is growing as the play of Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes is drawing a lot of attention.

On one side, Samuel Montembeault, 29 years old, a veteran and pillar, is struggling this season. On the other, Jakub Dobes, 24, who is having an up-and-down season.

Now Renaud Lavoie explains the game plan for the next two matchups:

“Samuel Montembeault vs Golden Knights
Jakub Dobes vs Avalanche

– Renaud Lavoie

Montembeault played well last season. But from the start of 2025-26, things have flipped. He has a very ordinary stat line: a GAA around 3.26 and a save percentage below .860.

Meanwhile, the young Dobes is exceeding expectations.

Healthy competition according to Montembeault

Despite everything, Montembeault hasn’t made a big deal about it. He has clearly stated that he believes Dobes deserves a chance to play more.

This team-first mindset eases tensions and keeps the current dynamic healthy, but it puts the organization in front of a real question: should they share or choose? The reality is that the duo could end up being a strength.

Montembeault, as long as he gets back on track, provides stability as a veteran, and Dobes, if his “hot hand” level continues, could give him some much-needed relief.

That said, I really like Martin St-Louis’ game plan for the weekend! The Canadiens truly have a big challenge ahead with three back-to-backs in a row. It’s going to be intense, especially with teams like Vegas, Colorado, and Toronto in the mix.

We will quickly see if the group is capable of keeping pace with such a heavy schedule.