Martin St-Louis settles the goalie debate, names Jakub Dobes starter vs Wild
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Martin St-Louis has just settled the debate at his noon press conference: Jakub Dobes will get the start tonight against the Minnesota Wild.
For Samuel Montembeault, it’s the confirmation many of us had been quietly dreading for the past few days.
He has officially been relegated to the role of second fiddle for the time being.
The head coach didn’t mince his words when making his intentions clear to the journalists in attendance.
He is prioritizing an immediate win, and right now, that means going with the Czech goaltender.
It’s fair to say that Dobes’ recent performances didn’t really leave the coaching staff with much of a choice.
He’s in an incredible groove and is forcing management’s hand.
This game in Minnesota is very important for the standings in the Atlantic Division, so it sends a strong message.
Putting Dobes in the fray proves that he is now the number-one go-to man.
It’s tough for a veteran like Montembeault, that’s for sure.
But in this locker room, meritocracy has always been Martin St-Louis’ guiding principle.
The goaltending hierarchy confirmed by Martin St-Louis, with Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault
The dynamic has just changed heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
It remains to be seen how Montembeault will respond mentally when he gets his next opportunity in net.
He’ll need to be lights-out if he hopes to shake up the order that was established today.
For now, the crease belongs to Dobes, and it’s more than deserved based on what we’re seeing on the ice.
The Canadiens need results, and it looks like they may have found their solution.
Also read on Montreal Hockey Fanatics :
Martin St-Louis makes first decision ahead of tonight’s game in Minnesota as goalie decision looms
Martin St-Louis makes first decision ahead of tonight’s game in Minnesota as goalie decision looms
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 2|1401 ANSWERS Martin St-Louis settles the goalie debate, names Jakub Dobes starter vs Wild Can Samuel Montembeault reclaim the number one job this season? | ||
| Yes | 243 | 17.3 % |
| No | 1158 | 82.7 % |
| List of polls | ||