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Samuel Montembeault is already in Washington

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 7:23 PM ET

The Canadiens take on the Vancouver Canucks tonight at the Bell Centre.

Jakub Dobes will be in net for the Habs, while Jacob Fowler will be his assistant. It should also be noted that Samuel Montembeault won’t be at the Bell Centre tonight, as he’s already in Washington.

Why is that?

Because tomorrow, the Habs take on the Capitals at home. Monty is already there because he won’t have to travel with the team tonight and arrive in the middle of the night: he’ll be able to take advantage of his evening to rest up so he’ll be in top shape for tomorrow’s game.

And, understandably, he’ll get the start against the Capitals.

Samuel Montembeault is already in Washington for tomorrow’s game against the Capitals.

This means he’ll be fresh and ready to play tomorrow, rather than flying in with the team after tonight’s game and arriving in the middle of the night.

Fowler will be Dobes’ assistant tonight.

– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) January 12, 2026

It’s not a bad thing.

Monty avoids the late night travel and will be able to go to bed early to be ready for the game against the Capitals. It’s perhaps the only advantage of the ménage à trois at the moment… hehe.

All kidding aside, it makes sense that he’ll (most likely) play tomorrow because it’s his turn to get his shot. Jacob Fowler was in net for the Habs on Saturday against the Wings, Dobes will get his chance tonight… and Monty will get his chance against a good team like the Washington Capitals.

It’ll be a good test for him. And things have been going well lately for Montembeault, who has won all three of his games since returning from Laval.

He’s been solid against the Panthers (twice) and the Stars: it’s perhaps too early to say he’s completely regained his confidence… but seeing him play like he has for the past two weeks is encouraging nonetheless.

Now it’s up to him to come up with a big one to prove to management that he’s really back.

Overtime

– Yes!

The captain ALWAYS delivers. @tigershockey | @CanadiensMTL | #WHLPlayeroftheWeek pic.twitter.com/VcVhbF0C6p

– Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 12, 2026

– Love the quote.

Arber Xhekaj on his mindset with the Habs this season:

“When you’re out of the lineup, it’s tough. You’re thinking any mistake is gonna get you out of the lineup and you don’t really know what’s gonna happen. But I don’t worry about that stuff anymore. I just play.” pic.twitter.com/j5OC2ZB10c

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 12, 2026

– Bravo!