Photo credit: NHL
The Montreal Canadiens boarded the plane to Tampa Bay, and the crease remains the number one topic.
After the Christmas break, the NHL resumes on Saturday, but Montreal plays on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
On the road, a decision in goal can change an entire night-especially when the team is juggling three goaltenders. A recent Laval Rocket roster move signaled what was coming for Samuel Montembeault in Montreal, and now it’s confirmed.
Samuel Montembeault had been assigned to the Laval Rocket for conditioning purposes on December 16. His most recent game with the Tricolore dated back to December 9, and his last start to December 2.
Samuel Montembeault recalled by the Canadiens
“Even though they’ve yet to announce it, the Canadiens have recalled Montembeault from Laval”
– Karine Hains
It will be interesting to see who gets the start in the next game.
The key issue is managing the three-goalie situation with the Montreal Canadiens. Jacob Fowler is 21 years old and, in 2025-2026, he has posted 5 games, 3 wins, 1 shutout, a 2.40 goals-against average, and a .918 save percentage.
Jakub Dobes is also in the picture, and the presence of three goaltenders inevitably forces a game-by-game decision.
On Sunday, Montreal returns to Tampa Bay riding a recent 4-1-1 stretch over its last six games. On the Lightning’s side, the club is coming off a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Monday, with 23 saves from Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel each picked up two assists in that win, a reminder that the margin for error can disappear quickly.
The next few hours will therefore be used to clarify who stays with the big club and who watches from the outside. Martin St-Louis must juggle the schedule, but also the needs of his goaltenders.
In Tampa Bay, everyone wants a simple answer, and Montreal knows it’s a talking point.
Previously on All Montreal Hockey
POLL
DECEMBRE 27Â Â Â |Â Â Â 668 ANSWERS
Samuel Montembeault recalled ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning game as goalie picture shifts
Do you think it’s the right strategy for the Montreal Canadiens to go with three goaltenders?