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The debate surrounding the Montreal Canadiens’ crease is growing as the play of Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes is drawing a lot of attention.
Now Renaud Lavoie explains the game plan for the next two matchups:
“Samuel Montembeault vs Golden Knights
Jakub Dobes vs Avalanche
– Renaud Lavoie
Montembeault played well last season. But from the start of 2025-26, things have flipped. He has a very ordinary stat line: a GAA around 3.26 and a save percentage below .860.
Meanwhile, the young Dobes is exceeding expectations.
Healthy competition according to Montembeault
Despite everything, Montembeault hasn’t made a big deal about it. He has clearly stated that he believes Dobes deserves a chance to play more.
This team-first mindset eases tensions and keeps the current dynamic healthy, but it puts the organization in front of a real question: should they share or choose? The reality is that the duo could end up being a strength.
Montembeault, as long as he gets back on track, provides stability as a veteran, and Dobes, if his “hot hand” level continues, could give him some much-needed relief.
That said, I really like Martin St-Louis’ game plan for the weekend! The Canadiens truly have a big challenge ahead with three back-to-backs in a row. It’s going to be intense, especially with teams like Vegas, Colorado, and Toronto in the mix.
We will quickly see if the group is capable of keeping pace with such a heavy schedule.
Previously on All Montreal Hockey