Canadiens’ Montembeault Demonstrates Resilience in Overtime Victory Against Panthers
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A pivotal save against Sam Reinhart wasn’t just about extending overtime; it was a testament to the character of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault, who secured a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The win, achieved after a nearly month-long absence from the starting lineup, underscored Montembeault’s ability to rebound from adversity and reclaim his position as a key player for the Canadiens.
From Draft Pick to Doubted Starter
The narrative took an interesting turn considering Montembeault’s history with the Panthers. Originally drafted 77th overall by Florida in 2015, he spent over four years in their development system before being waived in 2021. This backdrop added a layer of significance to Tuesday’s performance, a chance to prove himself against the team that once moved on from him.
Upon arriving in Montreal, Montembeault faced skepticism from a portion of the fanbase, who questioned his NHL caliber. However, he quickly silenced doubters, earning the support of Canadiens fans and eventually becoming a contender for the starting role.
Battling Back from Setbacks
This season, Montembeault encountered further challenges, including a difficult start and a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. A recent return to the net after a prolonged absence saw him facing a tough test against the Panthers. The game nearly slipped away when Brad Marchand scored a power-play goal with 10:18 remaining in the third period, followed shortly after by a difficult-angle shot from Reinhart that threatened to undo a strong 55 minutes of play.
“In anything in life, you can make excuses, or you can make progress, but you can’t do both,” a senior team official stated, highlighting the mindset Montembeault adopted.
A Team Effort Seals the Win
Montembeault refused to be defeated by Reinhart’s goal. Immediately after, Cole Caufield responded with a goal, tying the game with the Canadiens’ sixth six-on-five goal of the season courtesy of Nick Suzuki. Montembeault then showcased his resilience in overtime, denying Reinhart and Marchand before Suzuki ultimately secured the win on the power play.
The goaltender’s triumphant reaction, jumping into his teammates’ arms, reflected the significance of the moment – his first win since November 28.
“Mental toughness,” Caufield explained. “He’s been through a lot the last couple of weeks. We’re very happy to have him back and he’s pumped to be back here. That was a big one for our team, and a big one for him.”
Had Reinhart’s shot found the back of the net, it would have been a significant setback for Montembeault, potentially sending him back to square one. Instead, he stopped 25 of 26 shots before that point, demonstrating his improved form. As Suzuki noted after the 3-2 victory, “he made some tremendous saves tonight, looked like himself; pucks were sticking to him, he seemed more poised.”
Canadiens Demonstrate Character and Climb the Standings
The Canadiens’ victory wasn’t solely attributable to Montembeault. The team displayed resilience against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, pushing through a challenging game even after falling behind.
“Thought it was one of our most complete games,” Suzuki said. “Just kept going, even when we went down. Got a big goal by Cole to set us up for the six-on-five, and we capitalized there and won it in OT. Thought we were the better team tonight and definitely deserved that one.”
The win improved the Canadiens’ record to 21-12-6, placing them seventh in the NHL with 44 wins – 23 of which were earned by Montembeault. Despite a recent period of uncertainty, the goaltender remained focused on progress.
“I was having a really good game, so obviously something like that hurt me earlier in the year — thinking too much after goals or about the way I was playing,” Montembeault said. “I was playing a really good game, so just wanted to put that behind me.”
Tuesday’s game served as a powerful demonstration of Montembeault’s character and his commitment to pushing forward, proving that he possesses the mental fortitude to overcome obstacles and continue his development as a key player for the Montreal Canadiens.
