The Montreal Canadiens' crease is crowded with questions, but a more pressing issue may be unfolding just in front of it. Following a series of erratic performances, fans and analysts are left wondering: with a defence in disarray, does it truly matter who's guarding the net?
A Reader's Blunt Assessment
The sentiment was captured succinctly in a one-line email to a columnist as a recent game unraveled: "Nobody can play behind this defence." This blunt assessment followed a catastrophic collapse on Saturday, December 17, 2025, where the Habs squandered a 3-0 lead against the New York Rangers, ultimately falling 5-4 in overtime.
Rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler was in net for that loss, his second NHL start. He surrendered five goals on 29 shots, but the defeat was hardly laid at his feet. Just days prior, in his debut on Thursday in Pittsburgh, Fowler was dominant, backstopping the team to a 4-2 victory. The plot thickened on Sunday when Jakub Dobes, emerging from a slump, delivered a statement performance with 27 saves in a 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Defensive Woes Overshadow Goalie Drama
The goaltending carousel continued on Tuesday at the Bell Centre, where Fowler's home debut was marred by a collective team failure—a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. While Fowler made one notable rookie mistake handling the puck, the team's overall effort was lacking, managing only 10 shots through two periods.
This game underscored a season-long trend. The defensive corps has frequently appeared disorganized and overmatched, a problem not solely attributable to the absence of injured defender Kaiden Guhle. The group has struggled with consistent defensive-zone play, lacking physical pushback aside from Arber Xhekaj, who has found himself in the coach's doghouse.
This porous defence exacerbates the ongoing crisis between the pipes. Veteran Samuel Montembeault has struggled throughout the season, leading the team to assign him to the AHL's Laval Rocket for a conditioning stint on Tuesday, with a potential return eyed for Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Fan Opinions Split on the Path Forward
At the Ye Olde Orchard Pub before Tuesday's game, fans offered their hot takes on managing the three netminders. Amina Duranovic favored starting Dobes, with Fowler as backup, placing Montembeault third. Neil Irwin advocated simply riding the hot hand, stating the team cannot accept average goaltending.
Lucie Anne Burns believed Fowler should be number one but wasn't ready to discard Montembeault as a solid second option. Her father, Tom Burns, drew comparisons between Fowler's calm, positional style and that of legendary Habs goalie Carey Price. The most bullish opinion came from Frantz Roc, who declared, "I think he's going to be the next Carey Price."
As the Canadiens cling to a wild-card spot thanks largely to a strong start, the front office faces a critical decision. The core question remains whether any goalie can find consistent success behind a defence that continues to hemorrhage high-quality chances, making the team's complicated crease controversy just one part of a larger structural puzzle.
