The Montreal Canadiens announced an unexpected change of plan regarding Samuel Montembeault. Head coach Martin St. Louis
confirmed that the player, who was on a stint with the Laval Rocket, would rejoin his teammates on the road for the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

However, even though Montembeault had finished his time in the AHL, the goalie remained in Montreal to train with goaltending coach Marco Marciano.

The Montreal franchise stated that the decision was made to avoid unnecessary travel for him, as he is expected to be with the team when work resumes after the holiday break. Needless to say, the Canadiens’ explanation raised eyebrows among some observers.

Explaining the Canadiens’ last-minute change on Samuel Montembeault

As analyst Maxime Truman noted, the main reason No. 35 isn’t with the team is the excellent play of Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler.

After all, the two goalies surrendered just one goal in two games while Montembeault was in the AHL. That precise performance is why St. Louis altered the plan Sunday, giving the final two starts before the break to Dobes and Fowler instead.

Truman’s analysis summarizes it well. 

“In the end, the Montreal staff decided to bring Montembeault back to Montreal on the Rocket bus on Saturday night. The official reason: to avoid unnecessary travel,” Truman wrote. “The real reason: they had already planned to give yesterday’s start to Dobes, as well as tomorrow’s to Fowler. Fowler had just signed a shutout and Dobes had just had two one-goal games. Montembeault’s presence with the Montreal team became unnecessary.”

Even though St. Louis confirmed the 29-year-old will travel with the team after the holidays, it will be interesting to see what role he plays in the upcoming games.

Based on current form, Dobes and Fowler have earned the right to keep the Montreal crease, leaving Montembeault on the outside looking in.

While St. Louis may still have confidence in his veteran goalie, he faces some major decisions in the coming weeks — especially if the two young netminders keep up their strong play.