The return of goaltender Samuel Montembeault to the Montreal Canadiens' net after a nearly month-long absence has ignited a familiar debate among fans and pundits. Following two consecutive victories in early January 2026, including a dramatic 4-3 overtime win against the Dallas Stars on January 4, many were quick to anoint him as the team's restored number-one goalie. However, a closer examination of his performance reveals a more complicated picture, one that suggests the crease controversy is far from settled.
The Case for Caution: Inconsistency Plagues Montembeault
While the wins were crucial, they cannot erase a season of struggle. Montembeault's overall statistics remain concerning, ranking 81st in the NHL with a .865 save percentage and 75th with a 3.48 goals-against average. The recent success represents just three strong performances out of 17 starts this season. His pattern of mixing spectacular saves with soft goals was on full display in Dallas. After making a game-saving stop on Wyatt Johnston in overtime, analysis of the game's first goal highlighted a recurring issue: a mishandled play behind the net led to a Mavrik Bourque wraparound that many expect an NHL goalie to stop.
This "consistently inconsistent" trend has defined Montembeault's tenure. A similar goal from a sharp angle by Sam Reinhart in the preceding game against the Florida Panthers further underscored the problem. These preventable goals have cost the team valuable points, a fact that pressured management to send Montembeault to the AHL's Laval Rocket for a conditioning stint in December, where he lost both games.
The Fowler Factor: A Rookie Phenom's Claim
The debate intensifies when considering the emergence of rookie Jacob Fowler. Called up in December, Fowler has presented a compelling case for the starting role through his first seven games. His .903 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average starkly outperform Montembeault's season totals. While not flawless, Fowler has avoided the catastrophic outings that have plagued the other two netminders. His calm and reliable presence suggests he may not only be the goalie of the future but also the most stable option for the present.
The current three-goalie system with Montembeault, Fowler, and Jakob Dobes is widely viewed as unsustainable. It creates instability for each player and could jeopardize the Canadiens' playoff push in a tight Eastern Conference race. Every point lost due to goaltending uncertainty could be decisive come April.
A Tough Decision Awaits Management
The pressure now falls squarely on general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president Jeff Gorton to resolve the logjam. Sentiment cannot cloud this decision. While Montembeault is a Quebec-born player who enjoys local support, the team's competitive needs must come first. The logical path forward appears to be establishing Fowler as the primary starter, with Montembeault serving as the backup. This would involve assigning Dobes to Laval, with a clear plan to recall him should Montembeault's inconsistencies resurface.
Ultimately, two wins are a positive step, but they do not rewrite a season's narrative. For Samuel Montembeault to truly reclaim the number-one mantle in Montreal, he must demonstrate a level of week-in, week-out reliability that has so far eluded him this campaign. Until then, the crease belongs to whoever gives the Canadiens the best chance to win night after night, and the evidence is increasingly pointing away from Montembeault.
