Montembeault Struggles as Canadiens Fall to Kings in 5-1 Defeat

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault faced a challenging night on February 6, 2024, as the Canadiens suffered a 5-1 defeat against the Los Angeles Kings at the Bell Centre. In stark contrast, Kings’ netminder Darcy Kuemper showcased his skills, further solidifying his position as a contender for Team Canada’s Olympic squad.

Kuemper, a 35-year-old native of Saskatoon, entered the game as one of the top goaltenders in the league, ranked fifth in goals saved above expected. He continued to demonstrate his prowess, thwarting several scoring opportunities from the Canadiens. Meanwhile, Montembeault’s performance highlighted ongoing struggles, placing him 71st out of 73 goaltenders in the same category.

The matchup began with Montembeault making 12 saves in the first period, but his composure waned as the game progressed. The turning point came early in the second period when the Canadiens faltered defensively. Within a span of four minutes, the Kings capitalized, scoring three goals on just four shots, including a critical mistake where Montembeault inadvertently set up Kevin Fiala for an easy tap-in.

This loss marks another setback for Montembeault, whose Olympic aspirations seem increasingly distant. His statistics reveal a concerning trend; he has a record of 4-4-1 with a save percentage of just .861, ranking 51st among 54 goaltenders who have played at least five games this season.

Despite the overall struggles of the Canadiens, who are tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for third in NHL points percentage, Montembeault’s inability to deliver in crucial moments has drawn scrutiny. “He’s bailed us out a number of times throughout the course of years,” said Josh Anderson, who scored the Canadiens’ only goal against the Kings. Even with Anderson’s faith in Montembeault, doubts linger about the goaltender’s self-belief as the season progresses.

Coach Martin St. Louis remains optimistic about Montembeault’s potential to rebound. “I don’t think I’m worried,” he stated after the game. Team captain Nick Suzuki echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for the team to tighten their defensive play to support their goaltender.

Montembeault had shown glimpses of improvement in previous outings, notably stopping 31 of 32 shots in a recent game against Philadelphia and performing well in a 6-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth. However, the latest defeat raises concerns about his consistency and ability to regain form, especially with the Olympic selection looming.

The competition for Team Canada’s goaltending spots is heating up, with other candidates like Kuemper and Logan Thompson establishing themselves as frontrunners. As Montembeault’s performance continues to be scrutinized, his focus must shift to regaining confidence and consistency to help his team and potentially earn a place on the Olympic roster.

With the season still in its early stages, the Canadiens and Montembeault have the opportunity to adjust and improve. However, the pressure to perform will only intensify as the playoffs approach and Olympic selections draw near. The coming weeks will be critical for Montembeault’s career trajectory and the Canadiens’ overall success.