The Montreal Canadiens' high-flying offence from earlier in the week was nowhere to be found on Saturday afternoon. Fresh off a seven-goal outburst, the Habs were blanked 2-0 by the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center, a loss that shifts the spotlight squarely onto the team's crowded crease.
Binnington Steals the Show in St. Louis
Fresh from his selection to Team Canada for the upcoming Olympics, Blues netminder Jordan Binnington was the story of the game. He turned aside all 25 shots he faced, including a spectacular pad save on a golden opportunity from future Olympic teammate Nick Suzuki during a second-period power play. The Canadiens' man-advantage unit struggled mightily, going 0-for-4 and even surrendering a shorthanded goal.
At the other end, Jacob Fowler made 17 saves on 19 shots. The Blues' scoring was opened by Jonatan Berggren at 10:48 of the first period on a powerful one-timer. Robert Thomas then doubled the lead in the second frame with a dazzling shorthanded effort, navigating through the Montreal defence.
The Three-Goalie Logjam Remains Unresolved
The loss, which was Montreal's first in regulation on their current seven-game road trip (now 3-1-2), did little to clarify the team's most pressing roster issue. Fowler's competent performance in a losing effort did not make him a clear candidate for a demotion to the AHL's Laval Rocket.
Complicating matters further are the recent showings of his counterparts. In the preceding games, Samuel Montembeault appeared to regain his form in a contest against the Florida Panthers. Meanwhile, Jakub Dobes managed to secure a victory in the high-scoring, chaotic 7-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
This three-goalie rotation is an echo of a problematic situation from a previous season involving Montembeault, Jake Allen, and Cayden Primeau. Team management and the coaching staff are undoubtedly aware that carrying three netminders on the active roster is not a sustainable long-term strategy. A decision on who stays and who goes will need to be made soon, but Saturday's game in St. Louis provided no definitive answers.
Other Notes from the Road Trip
Defenceman Mike Matheson returned to the lineup after being a late scratch on Thursday due to an elbow from Brad Marchand. He logged over 21 minutes of ice time. According to advanced metrics from Hockey Stat Cards, the defensive pairing of Lane Hutson and Alexandre Carrier were among the few bright spots in an otherwise flat team performance.
The Canadiens conclude this lengthy road swing with a game against the Dallas Stars on Sunday, looking to finish the trip on a positive note while the goalie debate continues to simmer.
