Crucial Decision Awaits Martin St-Louis Ahead of Key Game vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
PUBLICATION
L. Honein
January 21, 2025 (9:49)
We currently have an excellent goalie duo with the Montreal Canadiens. Jakub Dobes has been truly impressive since his call-up from the Laval Rocket, and Samuel Montembeault has also been generally solid, even though last Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs was more challenging for him.
Since the emergence of this healthy competition between the Canadiens' two goaltenders, Martin St-Louis has had relatively smooth decision-making.
The team has played several stretches of two games in two nights, and with both playing well, it has been relatively straightforward for him to decide who starts which game.
However, tonight, a major decision awaits Martin St-Louis.
Samuel Montembeault or Jakub Dobes in Net for the Canadiens Tonight?
The choice the Canadiens' head coach makes tonight will speak volumes about the current state of the goaltending situation in Montreal.
Will Dobes be sent into action against the Tampa Bay Lightning? Or will it be Montembeault instead?
We'll have the answer in the next few minutes, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens.
This is a big decision for Martin St-Louis, as the team is currently playing some very important games in the race for the playoffs.
It's the return of the «four-point games» for the Canadiens tonight as they face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning!
A win for the Canadiens would bring them within just one point of the Lightning and the third spot in their division. They would also move into the final wild card position, tied with the Bruins at 52 points but with a game in hand.
A loss, however, would drop the Canadiens five points behind the Lightning but still leave them just two points away from the last wild card spot.
- MOB
The team will hold a morning practice around 10:30 a.m. and a press conference around 11:00 a.m., so we'll likely get our answer fairly soon.
And if it were your decision, what would you do?
This decision will also reveal whether Samuel is still the number one goalie for the Montreal Canadiens or if the young Dobes has truly shaken things up.
At 23 years old, 6 foot 4 and 215 pounds, Dobes has a record of 5-0-0 this season, with a goals-against average of 1.55 and a save percentage of .941.
At 28 years old, 6 foot 3 and 218 pounds, Montembeault has a record of 16-16-3 this season, with a goals-against average of 2.98 and a save percentage of .897.
POLL |
10 HOURS AGO | 1064 ANSWERS Crucial Decision Awaits Martin St-Louis Ahead of Key Game vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Who would you start tonight vs Tampa Bay if it were your decision? |
|
|
|
1 hour ago | By Elias Adaime Canadiens Have Reportedly Set a Plan for David Reinbacher as an Announcement Is Made |
|
1 hour ago | By Elias Adaime Canadiens Make a Minor Change Involving Goalie Jakub Dobes |
|
3 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Arber Xhekaj Gets Called Out Live on TV for a Mistake Made Last Weekend |
|
7 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Connor McDavid Reportedly Furious and Allegedly Threatens Gary Bettman After Severe Suspension |
|
7 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Nick Suzuki Takes Matters Into His Own Hands With a Decision Typically Reserved for the Head Coach |
|
9 hours ago | By L. Honein Martin St-Louis Makes His Decision in Net Ahead of Tonight's Game vs. the Lightning |
|
20 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Potential Montreal-New Jersey Trade Involving Jake Evans Hinges on a Key Condition |
|
22 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Major Development in Pittsburgh Sparks Kris Letang-to-Canadiens Rumors |
Previously on HabsFanatics