Samuel Montembeault unable to protect a lead

Obviously, the name on everyone’s lips this morning is Samuel Montembeault. The goalie, who hasn’t exactly had a sparkling start to the season, had a game of two halves.

It began with three quick goals from the Flyers.

Did the indiscipline of the Habs players play a role? Of course it did: the goals weren’t all the goalie’s fault. After all, two goals were scored on the powerplay, including one when the Flyers had two extra men on the ice.

The crowd even applauded the Québécois ironically. This prompted Zachary Bolduc to say publicly, after the game, that he didn’t like to hear the crowd jeering his goalie.

But then Montembeault stepped up and did what a #1 goalie needs to do from time to time: make big saves to help his team. He made 31 straight saves as his teammates scored four unanswered goals to take the lead.

Some of his saves were important, saving teammates (including Lane Hutson) throughout the game. A good goalkeeper has to be able to do that… and he hadn’t at the start of the game.

But in the third period, Monty was unable to protect his team’s lead, making it 4-4 and sending the game into overtime.

In fact, Guillaume Villemaire reported that the goaltender had obtained 12 leads this season – excluding overtime – and had scored no less than 11 of them.

This is an NHL record.

The only lead the goalie hasn’t lost this season was when the Canadiens took the lead with 15 seconds left in last month’s game against the Hawks.

Is the confidence that the goalkeeper was looking for during the game still there? It’s hard to say, given the final result. Because in the end, despite a good run, he didn’t solve his problems.

The main man, without whom the Habs wouldn’t get a point if he didn’t get up in the middle of the game, knows he has things to work on. And he doesn’t blame the crowd for applauding him.

overtime

The Canadiens didn’t deserve a point yesterday… but they got one anyway. And no one in Montreal is going to complain, because it’s important to get points.

Right now, the Habs are at the top of the East. Will that still be the case after tomorrow’s game in New Jersey?