The Montreal Canadiens face more than just the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night. They face a decision that could define Martin St-Louis’s credibility in the locker room and with the fanbase: Who gets the net — the veteran Samuel Montembeault or the rising star Jakub Dobes?
After Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers, the pressure is mounting. Montembeault allowed four goals on just 18 shots, and while he took responsibility post-game, saying “I have to do better,” the numbers speak louder than apologies.
Meanwhile, Dobes has momentum and the fans behind him. In a Twitter poll by Anthony Martineau, over 80% of respondents demanded Dobes start against Buffalo. And it’s hard to argue: his clutch save against Filip Forsberg in overtime last Thursday was the prelude to Cole Caufield’s game-winner. Dobes didn’t just stop pucks — he shifted the energy of the game.
“I owed the guys one,” Dobes told NHL.com after the win, showing maturity beyond his years. Even with just 17 saves, he was decisive when it mattered most.
St-Louis now faces a dilemma: reward experience or ride the hot hand? Loyalty to Montembeault could cost the Canadiens another game — and perhaps the trust of a fanbase that’s already made its choice.
The puck drops Monday night, but the real drama starts before the anthem. Will St-Louis listen to the numbers, the fans, and the moment — or stick to a script that’s already cracking?