Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images
For the past few hours, experts and fans alike have been calling on Kent Hughes to make a change in goal for the Montreal Canadiens.
Many people’s patience is wearing thin, including that of former player Gilbert Delorme.
The analyst did not pull any punches when describing the loss to the Bruins, specifically pointing to the third goal allowed on a simple backhand from the slot with six minutes left in the game.
According to Delorme, those are shots the goaltender absolutely must stop to give his team a chance to win.
See his full statement here:
“You know, a backhand like that in the slot, when the puck was in the slot, he was 35 feet out in the slot, a backhand shot-come on! With six minutes left in the game, your goalie gives up two soft ones. You can’t win games when your goalie gives you two soft goals.”
– Gilbert Delorme
Many people are sending messages to Kent Hughes asking him to make a move in goal, including Gilbert Delorme himself
The quoted statement carries heavy implications for the confidence of the number-one goaltender.
Has rock bottom been reached?
BPM Sports also asked the question on its social media platforms: “Has Samuel Montembeault hit rock bottom?”
The takeaway: The comments are harsh, but they reflect the statistical reality of recent games.
Delorme highlights the fact that regardless of the defensive system, if the goaltender allows weak goals at critical moments, the team collapses.
This outburst adds to those from Eric Engels and to the alarming historical statistics (.869 overall save percentage).
A .869 save percentage in the month of January (almost February) is absolutely unacceptable.
If even former players who understand the reality of the locker room are starting to talk about “soft ones,” it’s a sign that the situation in goal is critical.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics