The National Hockey League (NHL) announced the goaltenders of the week on Tuesday, and a well-known face in Montreal is among the winners. Among the four goalkeepers honored, we find Samuel Montembeault, the starting goalkeeper for the Canadiens.
The Quebecer, after a checkered start to the season, seems to be finding his bearings in recent weeks. After a difficult end to October, marked by two withdrawals during a duel, he was able to reverse the trend in November and present a record of 3-4-1. While his tally remains below 500, it’s an encouraging sign as he’s been able to keep his team in the game in virtually every one of his recent outings.
For the period from November 11 to 17, Montembeault was named goaltender of the week alongside Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken and Pyotr Kochetkov of the Carolina Hurricanes.
During this period, among goalkeepers who played at least three matches, he posted the best goals against average (1.34), tied with Oettinger. In three meetings, the cerberus of CH earned two wins and recorded an impressive 0.947 save percentage.
Montembeault started the following week in brilliant fashion, posting a shutout Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. He rejected all 30 shots directed towards his net by Connor McDavid and his teammates. In a context where Cayden Primeau has struggled to find consistency since the start of the season, it is reassuring to see number 35 raise his game and meet expectations between the posts.
Thank you for joining us today, Mr. John Doe and Ms. Jane Smith. Our first question is for you, Mr. Doe. As an avid hockey fan, how significant is the recognition of a goaltender in the NHL? Can you explain the role of a goaltender in the game and their impact on team success?
JOHN DOE: Absolutely! Goaltenders are one of the most important players on an NHL team. They are responsible for stopping shots from the other team from scoring, which can make or break a game. They are often the last line of defense and can single-handedly keep their team in the game even when they are playing against a stronger opponent. A good goaltender can lift the spirits of their teammates and give them confidence, while a struggling one can demoralize them. So being recognized as a goaltender of the week is a huge accomplishment and shows that Samuel Montembeault is playing at a high level.
JANE SMITH: Yes, I completely agree. Goaltenders often don’t get the credit they deserve for their role in the game. They have to be quick, agile, and have excellent hand-eye coordination to make the difficult saves. It’s not just about stopping the puck; they also have to read the play and anticipate where the next shot will come from. They truly are the unsung heroes of the team.
Our next question is for Ms. Smith. As someone who covers the Montreal Canadiens, how has Samuel Montembeault’s performance been this season? What has been his biggest challenge, and how has he improved over the past few weeks?
JANE SMITH: Montembeault’s performance has been up and down this season. He had a rough start with two consecutive losses, which led to him being benched for a couple of games. However, since he’s been reinstated as the starting goaltender, he’s improved significantly. He’s been more confident in making saves and seems to have regained his form. His biggest challenge has been consistency; he needs to maintain his level of play throughout the entire game and not let in soft goals.
We’d like to ask Mr. Doe about the other goaltenders recognized this week. Which team do you think has the best
