Samuel Montembeault: numerically equal, he is (truly) among the NHL’s elite – Canada Boosts

Because the begin of the season, the three-man group in entrance of the Canadiens’ web has been the discuss of the city. There’s plenty of speak about learn how to divide the workload between the three goaltenders… however most of all, there’s the query of who’s going to finish up leaving.

I nonetheless assume will probably be Jake Allen or Cayden Primeau, but when the Oilers provide the moon for Samuel Montembeault (who seems to interest them more than Allen), that might nonetheless change.

However let’s discuss in regards to the Quebecer. Even when his season hasn’t at all times been straightforward to this point, his numbers after eight video games are removed from unhealthy. His 3-3-1 report, 2.78 goals-against common and 0.908 save proportion are stable, particularly when you think about the membership in entrance of him.

And tonight, Renaud Lavoie introduced up an attention-grabbing level throughout his column on the JiC show: once you take a look at the 5-on-5 numbers (and eradicate the fellows who’ve performed lower than eight video games), Montembeault is squarely among the many league’s elite.

The truth is, he leads the league in effectivity (0.949) and goals-against common (1.40) when every group has 5 gamers on the ice. He’s forward of the likes of Jeremy Swayman, Linus Ullmark, Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin, no much less.

I don’t know if the Quebecer’s clan is utilizing these numbers within the goalie’s contract negotiations, however we agree that it makes him look fairly good. The truth that he’s the most effective 5-on-5 goaltenders within the league is one thing to brag about.

And after we take a look at the larger image at even energy (i.e., if we embody 4-on-4 and 3-on-3 conditions), as soon as once more the CH goaltender seems to be good.
John Gibson is clearly changing into a monster in time beyond regulation, hehe.

That stated, once you take a look at all this, one query involves thoughts: how come the Quebecer’s numbers aren’t higher if he’s so good on even energy?

The reply is kind of easy: it’s a lot tougher for him when the CH is down a person. His effectivity charge (0.855) is actually strange.

Because the starting of the yr, we’ve been saying that the Habs must discover a method to be extra disciplined, and clearly, it’s much more necessary to be extra disciplined when Montembeault is in entrance of the web. He actually isn’t as efficient short-handed as he’s at even energy, and that’s hurting the Tricolore.

It’s arduous responsible him when he spends a lot time shorthanded, however as a lot as the fellows want to assist him, he wants to assist himself.

Then again, let’s at the very least give him a ton of credit score for his glorious work on the ability play: with out his glorious performances, the CH won’t even have saved its head above water because the begin of the yr.

And that might imply large bucks on his subsequent contract.

In bursts

– In keeping with Pat Laprade, the PWHL season might not begin till January 2024. [TVA Sports]

– Higher late than by no means… or not.

At 5:56 pm the subsequent day https://t.co/L4JlZ8FD61

– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) November 21, 2023

– Patrice Bergeron doesn’t know if he’ll be inducted into the Corridor of Fame. Yeah proper. [JDM]

– A Russian participant expelled from his group for stealing sticks from his group’s locker room. Nevertheless, he has already signed a contract with one other group.

– To be continued.