Montembeault's Redemption Game Sends Canadiens into Olympic Break with Convincing Win
In a season marked by inconsistency, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault chose the perfect moment to deliver a statement performance. On Wednesday night at Canada Life Centre, Montembeault stopped 36 shots to lead his team to a decisive 5-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, sending the Canadiens into their three-week Olympic break on a high note.
A Goaltender's Redemption
Playing for the first time since January 24th, Montembeault showcased the form that made him a standout last season. His save percentage of .973 would have been a shutout performance had he not allowed a Kyle Connor power-play goal just over six minutes into the game. After that early concession, Montembeault stopped the next 30 shots he faced, including at least half a dozen legitimate scoring chances that could have changed the game's complexion.
"I felt it was a little bit of a slow start," said Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki in post-game comments. "We kind of found our legs, found our game late in the first and kind of controlled the rest of the game. (Montembeault) was sharp right away and saved ourselves from getting into a big hole. I thought he played a great game."
Offensive Contributions Across the Lineup
While Montembeault's performance stole the spotlight, the Canadiens received offensive contributions from throughout their lineup:
- Brendan Gallagher, 33, recorded a goal and two assists for his 12th career three-point game
- Josh Anderson also scored a goal and contributed three points on the night
- Kirby Dach extended his point streak to four games with an assist
- Oliver Kapanen opened the scoring with a rebound goal
- Phillip Danault added a short-handed empty-net goal late in the game
"It was nice to get rewarded tonight," Anderson commented. "I thought we've been playing pretty good hockey lately as a line. It was kind of a little bit of a slow start for us. I think we started to turn it around at the end of the first period and kind of took over from there."
Strange Statistics and Notable Performances
The game featured several intriguing statistical anomalies and noteworthy performances:
- Cole Caufield, who leads the Canadiens with 32 goals this season, has yet to score against Winnipeg in 11 regular-season games
- Zachary Bolduc extended his goal drought to 20 games, though he has four assists in his last five contests
- Defenceman Noah Dobson extended his point streak to five games with two assists
- The Canadiens improved to 16-7-2 following a loss this season
Jets' Struggles Continue
For the Winnipeg Jets, the loss continued what has been a disappointing season for last year's Presidents' Trophy winners. The Jets have now suffered 26 regulation losses, four more than all of last season, and have allowed 175 goals with 15 games remaining. Their average age over 30 makes them the oldest team in the NHL, raising questions about their future direction.
Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart Trophy winner and back-to-back Vezina recipient, struggled in net for Winnipeg, allowing two second-period goals on consecutive shots in just 76 seconds and finishing with a save percentage of .846.
Looking Ahead to the Break and Beyond
As the Canadiens head into their Olympic break, the performance provides optimism for what could be a strong finish to the season. Rookie defenceman Lane Hutson summarized the team's perspective: "I don't think we played our best, especially at the start of the game. (Montembeault) battled and kept us in it. When we got our chances, we executed."
If Montembeault can maintain this level of play upon returning from the break, combined with the recent strong performances from backup Jakub Dobes, the Canadiens could emerge as a dark horse contender in the playoff race. The three-week hiatus will give players time to rest and recover before what promises to be a competitive push toward the postseason.
