Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Montreal Canadiens Sam Montembeault was the team’s clear starter. He has been one of the most underrated goaltenders in the NHL since being picked up off waivers by the Habs. Montembeault has been a steady presence throughout the regular season, as well as in the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring.
Jakub Dobes Winning Goalie Battle in Montreal
As for the backup situation, despite adding veteran Kaapo Kahkonen in the offseason, the position was always Jakub Dobes‘ to lose. Dobes burst onto the scene for Montreal last season and won each of his first four NHL starts. He was recalled from the AHL’s Laval Rocket after Cayden Primeau faltered to begin the year. However, Dobes showed inconsistencies and wasn’t ready to challenge for the starter’s role. So far in 2025-26, however, the Montreal Canadiens goaltending situation is uncertain. Let’s analyze why Jakub Dobes is now challenging for the starter’s crease.
Montreal Canadiens Goaltending So Far
Sam Montembeault has struggled this season for Montreal, to say the least. He has only had above a .900 save percentage in one contest this year. Furthermore, he has allowed at least four goals in each of his last three games, including six in the Thursday night loss to the Edmonton Oilers. While it’s hard to blame Montembeault for every goal against in that game, at some point, you need your starting goalie to make a save and settle things down for the team. So far this season, Montembeault hasn’t been able to find that crucial save. His struggles in 2025-26 date back to the preseason. He holds a 2-3 record so far in the regular season, and it appears his confidence is shaken.
On the other end of things, Jakub Dobes is having a brilliant start to his season for Montreal. He holds a perfect 4-0 record and is among the league leaders in virtually every category for netminders. The 24-year-old has allowed only six goals in his four starts. Dobes earned himself consecutive starts against Buffalo and Calgary due to his play. It appears as though Montembeault’s poor start, coupled with Dobes’ hot start to the year, may have the youngster in line for the starting role in Montreal
Long-Term Goaltending Implications
Long-term, it’s unclear what the Canadiens goaltending situation will look like. Montembeault has been the team’s starter for the past few seasons and a reliable one at that. It’s hard to imagine that he would lose his starter role permanently after a few shaky starts. However, the Canadiens will likely ride the hot hand in the short term.
Montembeault has two more years left on his contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. As for Dobes, his entry-level contract also carries another two seasons. However, upon expiry, he becomes a restricted free agent. Montreal also has goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler in the pipeline. Despite his early struggles, the Canadiens will need Montembeault at some point throughout the season. They shouldn’t completely hand over the reins to their rookie goalie just yet. However, Dobes does deserve the bulk of the starts in the short term. Dobes and Fowler are expected to be the future of the Canadiens crease. Montembeault will need to find his game this season if he wants a chance at being part of this team’s future.
Team Canada Olympic Implications for Samuel Montembeault
This season also has special implications for Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault. The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in February, and NHL players will be vying for roster spots on their respective countries. Montembeault was the third-string goalie behind Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill for Canada at the Four Nations Face-Off last February.
Canada’s goaltending is the team’s most glaring weakness. Montembeault is expected to challenge for a roster spot once more, despite not suiting up for Canada in this past tournament. He still has the inside track due to familiarity. However, goalies like Mackenzie Blackwood, Darcy Kuemper, and Logan Thompson could challenge him down the stretch. Canada will likely ride the hot hand going into the Olympic tournament. As a result, Montembeault will need to find his game if he wants to represent his country at the highest level.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
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