Sam Montembeault (Bob Frid-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/89f5ec36-f417-475d-8d10-9b825314184b.jpeg] Sam Montembeault (Bob Frid-Imagn Images) The Montreal Canadiens made an unexpected push into playoff position this week – and Sam Montembeault’s performance is a key factor. Montembeault ranks fifth in the NHL in goals saved above expected this season, according to moneypuck.com [https://moneypuck.com/goalies.htm]. He’s been even better lately. Since the 4 Nations Face-Off, he’s posted a 7-0-1 record with a .922 save percentage and a 2.09 goals-against average. Sam Montembeault is the biggest factor in the Montreal Canadiens' recent success, says Michael Augello. Montembeault was one of Canada’s three goalies at the 4 Nations Face-Off but didn’t play. That said, there were legitimate questions about why he made the squad over other candidates [https://thehockeynews.com/news/where-have-all-the-great-french-canadian-nhl-players-gone-canadiens-montembeault-is-quebecs-lone-representative-at-4-nations-face-off], including Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals] starter Logan Thompson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/as-many-predicted-canadas-goaltending-at-4-nations-face-off-has-been-their-achilles-heel]. But all that matters this season is what he’s doing for his current club, and his ability to drive the team toward positive results shows a lot of promise for what’s to come from the 28-year-old. The workhorse [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/sam-montembeault-is-being-overused-] has played 50 games in an NHL season for the first time, and he deserves more credit for what the Habs have achieved thus far. Montembeault’s 2.36 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in March are the best of any of his months this season [https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/splits/_/id/3942714/sam-montembeault], and he’s shown some impressive statistics in his 25 wins. In victories alone, Montembeault has a .938 SP and 1.72 GAA, which are both top-nine numbers among the 24 goalies with at least 20 wins. We saw glimpses of Montembeault carrying the team to wins in the past, as he did in 2022-23 when he posted a .940 SP and 2.03 GAA in wins. But the only Canadiens goalie with stats as good as his in wins was Carey Price in 2020-21. Now, Montembeault's stats in losses – an .849 SP and 4.45 GAA – are among the worst in the league among goalies with at least 10 losses. On a rebuilding team like Montreal, you’re going to have some blowout games that have an adverse effect on your numbers. That’s all part of the growing pains on a squad looking to create a new competitive window for years to come. Kent Hughes ‘Won’t Spend Like a Drunken Sailor’ in Free Agency [https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/c5652d53-25b2-496a-aec5-5cd6e492eb2e/thumbnail] Kent Hughes ‘Won’t Spend Like a Drunken Sailor’ in Free Agency I saw this on Sportsnet’s Twitter feed. This is a fine quote from the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager to make. But will he stick to it? It’s very subjective and no offense to Hughes but at some point, you have to take a chance on a proven player. Otherwise, it’s very hard to get out of the mushy middle. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/kent-hughes-wont-spend-like-a-drunken-sailor-in-free-agency] Montembeault’s overall growth with the team is very encouraging, especially when he's carried Montreal to more wins than it sometimes deserves. Montembeault’s goals saved above expected per 60 minutes have never been better during his time as a Hab, according to moneypuck.com data. He could be even better next season as he starts to enter his prime years in net, all for the potential bargain of $3.15 million a season through 2026-27. And, who knows – he could make a solid case for a spot in the Olympics [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/players/sam-montembeaults-competition-for-the-2026-olympic-team-1]. But no matter how this season ends for the Canadiens, whether they make the playoffs or not, just know they’re in this position thanks in part to their netminder from Becancour, Que. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
