When Do the Canadiens Start Montembeault Again?

The challenge for Montreal is that they currently have three goaltenders on the roster: Montembeault, Jacob Fowler, and Dobes. Head coach Martin St. Louis has shown in the past that he is comfortable carrying three goalies, and it appears that the team could continue with this setup for a while longer. That reality complicates things.

Most recently, Montembeault backed up Fowler against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, a clear indication that the organization still sees Fowler as someone who needs NHL minutes as well. Fowler is only 21 years old and remains one of the most important development projects in the organization. Dobes, meanwhile, has also earned starts with his play. In short, Montembeault is stuck in a crowded crease, and that makes his path back to regular starts far from straightforward.

When Could the Next Start Come?

The Canadiens’ upcoming schedule presents three clear opportunities for Montembeault to return to the net. Montreal plays on Tuesday, Dec. 30, against the Florida Panthers, Thursday, Jan. 1, against the Carolina Hurricanes, and Saturday, Jan. 3, against the St. Louis Blues. A stretch where the team could rotate their goalies, especially when carrying three of them.

That said, predicting exactly who will start which game is difficult. The Canadiens are trying to strike a delicate balance. Fowler needs to play for his development. Dobes has earned trust. And Montembeault needs NHL starts to rebuild his confidence.

Still, it would be surprising if Montembeault did not get at least one of those three games. Sitting him for another full week would send a troubling message, especially for a goaltender who was a key part of last season’s playoff push.

A return to an environment where his career started could be a good opportunity for Montembeault in Florida. Monty played a handful of games for the team who drafted him in the third round in 2015 before putting him on waivers. A move that would later have him in Montreal, after the team claimed him. 

Whether it is Florida or another opponent, the important thing is not perfection. Montembeault does not need a shutout. He needs a chance to compete, to feel involved again, and to remind himself that he belongs at this level.

The Importance of Gaining Confidence Back

Goaltending is as much mental as it is technical. Montembeault’s struggles this season have not been about effort or preparation; they have largely been about confidence. When a goalie hesitates, overthinks, or plays tight, small mistakes snowball quickly.

That is why extended time on the bench can sometimes do more harm than good. You cannot fix a confidence issue without giving the player an opportunity to succeed, or even fail, in real games. Montembeault needs to feel the puck again, deal with traffic, battle through goals against, and experience the emotional rhythm of a start.

For a young team already navigating injuries and inconsistency, stability in net matters. Montembeault may not be the long-term future in goal, but right now, he remains an important piece of the puzzle. Giving him a start, sooner rather than later, is not just about helping the player. It is about understanding what the Canadiens truly have.

At the end of the day, confidence does not return on the practice rink. It returns when the lights are on, the crowd is loud, and the puck drops. Montembeault is ready for that moment again. Now, the Canadiens just need to give it to him.