The Canadiens Cannot Let the Three-Goalie Rotation Drag On

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault returns between the pipes this evening against the Florida Panthers, marking his first start since Dec. 2, a 5–2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

The decision, announced by Martin St. Louis on Monday afternoon, surprised many and officially thrusts the Canadiens back into a three-goalie rotation. It is a scenario that has not produced positive results in the past and one the organization should look to avoid as quickly as possible.

With Jacob Fowler playing well, posting a 3-1-2 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .904 save percentage, and Jakub Dobes delivering respectable performances leading into the break, the idea of running a tandem without Montembeault appeared to be working just fine. That is no longer the case.

Montembeault’s return seemingly forces him into a start, and as a result, Dobes has now lost his place in the rotation. In a three-goalie rotation, one netminder inevitably becomes rusty, and Dobes is already trending in that direction, with his last start coming on Dec. 21. The Canadiens experimented with a similar rotation during the 2023–24 season to avoid placing Cayden Primeau on waivers, ultimately trading Jake Allen, the best-performing goalie of the trio, to New Jersey.

Now, Montreal finds itself at a familiar crossroads. Management is reluctant to place Montembeault on waivers in order to send him to Laval, but in doing so, they risk stalling the development of Fowler and Dobes, two young goaltenders who need routine and consistent playing time.

One start for Montembeault is not the end of the world, but this situation cannot be allowed to drag on. The Canadiens need answers, and if they are wise, they will seek them quickly and make a firm decision. The result of this start should weigh heavily on the organization’s thought process as Montembeault has no excuses, with the Panthers currently dealing with injuries and playing their second game in 24 hours.

This should be Montembeault’s last kick at the can, an opportunity to prove he has rediscovered the form that carried the Canadiens to the playoffs last season and earned him a spot on Canada’s Four Nations roster.

There are three possible outcomes from this start, and the Canadiens must be prepared to act decisively.

The best-case scenario is Montembeault delivering a strong, confident performance and earning a win. In that case, the Canadiens could option Jacob Fowler back to Laval, allowing him to log more starts without rushing his development.

The second outcome is Montembeault struggling and looking much the same as before. If that happens, the Canadiens cannot afford to wait. They would need to take the risk of placing him on waivers to option him to Laval. While a claim or trade would be likely, it would still be preferable to allowing another prolonged three-goalie rotation to linger.

The third outcome is an average performance that leaves management unsure of how to proceed. This is the most likely scenario and also the most damaging. An extended three-goalie rotation would cost the Canadiens games and hinder the development of Fowler and Dobes. Based on precedent, there is little reason to believe meaningful change would follow.

All eyes will be on what unfolds in Sunrise tonight. The implications of Montembeault’s start extend far beyond a single game and could shape both the short-term direction and long-term future of this team.