Goaltender is coming off 3-0 shutout of Nashville, while also being named to his third international stint in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
In the span of a few days, the stars have aligned in Samuel Montembeault’s world.
“He’s the back behind it all,” Laine continued. “He’s keeping us together. He has kept us in the game so many times. He’s unbelievable. That’s why they picked him for Team Canada. He shows up in big moments. He has been unreal.”
While Montembeault’s 8-10-2 record might not seem flattering on the surface, it must be remembered he plays on a losing team that can be considered occasionally porous defensively and offensively challenged. Along with his three shutouts — he had only one previously in his career — Montembeault has a solid 2.82 average and .906 save percentage heading into Saturday night’s home game against Washington (7 p.m., City-TV, SNE, TVA Sports, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM).
“I feel Monty’s pretty even-keeled,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said Thursday morning. “He doesn’t get too down if he doesn’t have his best game. He doesn’t get too high, either, when he has a great performance. I think it’s probably a very good mindset for that position.”
Following Montembeault’s latest sterling performance, St. Louis talked about the growth he has seen from the 28-year-old.
“I see the way he works,” St. Louis said. “I knew nothing about Sam when I took the job. Remembering how he was two-plus years (ago compared to) now, it’s a huge improvement. It didn’t happen overnight. Two years ago, his good was really good. I find he’s got a really good ‘B’ game now, too. That allows him to have consistency.”
“When I first got out of (Florida) some people were saying I was an AHL goalie at best,” Montembeault said Thursday night. “I hope … I’ve changed their mind. I just want to keep going and get better.
“My first season (in Montreal) wasn’t my best, but the team stuck with me,” added Montembeault, in the midst of a three-year, US$9.45-million contract extension he signed slightly more than a year ago. “I’ve come far. Going through waivers. The three-goalie rotation. I’m really happy with where I am now.”
Montembeault has worked hard honing his craft with assistant coach Éric Raymond. While playing for the Canadiens comes with burdens and expectations, Montembeault avoids social media.
“I love it here,” he said. “It’s my childhood team. Growing up, I was dreaming of being in this position, playing here at the Bell Centre. I’m just happy to be here and want to keep it going as long as I can.”
This will be Montembeault’s third time representing Canada in international play. He’s best remembered for his significant contribution to the team’s gold medal run at the 2023 world championship with Montembeault posting a 1.42 average and .939 save percentage in seven games.
Montembeault’s one of three goalies named to the team, along with St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, both of whom have won the Stanley Cup. The tournament, to be held in Montreal and Boston, runs Feb. 12-20. Canada meets Sweden at the Bell Centre on opening night before facing the U.S. on Feb. 15 at the same venue.