Samuel Montembeault is the definitive number-one goaltender in the Montreal Canadiens organization.
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That said, it’s a big year for the Canadiens top netminder. He is 27 years old and could fit into the window of contention once it’s properly installed and opens up. There’s also no debate as to who will start every night now that Jake Allen is in New Jersey and Cayden Primeau stays poised in the backup role.
However, Montembeaul hasn’t played in over 41 games in his NHL career. This is mainly due to being in a backup position and that starting uncertainty from last season, but starting goaltenders on average appear in closer to 50-60 games over the course of a season.
50 games would be a big step for Montembeault as he continues his development while simultaneously trying to settle into starting status. In his career-high 41-game season last campaign, he had a .903 save percentage and a 3.14 goals-against average.
Montembeault should have a bit more help on defense this year, an area which has lacked in Montreal. A few blueliners are looking for permanent NHL residency in the Canadiens system and while their development is still important and there will be growing pains, finding a fixed set of six defenders should help with all those pesky one-goal deficit losses the Habs endured last season.
Related: Canadiens: What to Expect From Cayden Primeau
The question remains whether or not Montembeault can keep the statistics he’s put up consistent for the whole year. There should be less pressure when it comes to a replacement for Montembeault given his status. Primeau recently turned 25 and still needs time to grow as an NHL backup and the likes of Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler still need to pay their dues in the AHL and NCAA respectively.
How many games do you anticipate seeing Montembeault start in? And barring injury and enough rest time, how will this reflect on paper?
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