If the pressure is suffocating Samuel Montembeault at the moment, it doesn’t show at all.
The Canadian goaltender will be in front of the net on Saturday at the Bell Centre, the evening of the local premiere against the Chicago Blackhawks. He currently has to share his job with two other goalkeepers, and also, he does not have a contract for the following season, that of 2024-2025.
Does it bother him? No way.
“There is no additional pressure, because as a player, you always put pressure on your shoulders anyway,” he explained Friday at the Brossard training center. I come to play every time, so it won’t be any different this time. I will try to play as best as I can. »
At 26, the man who was a third-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2015 is at a bit of a crossroads: becoming a number one goalie in this league, or maybe not. All this with a team that will not be top-notch, to add to this journey which will undoubtedly not be so easy.
For now, the portrait in front of the Canadian’s net is not so simple either. There are three of them, namely him, veteran Jake Allen, who got the start during the team’s first game of the season, Wednesday night in Toronto, as well as young Cayden Primeau, who is still trying to find a place with the team. Who is number one, two, three? It’s not clear.
This leads to a situation that is not ideal in front of the net, but Montembeault is not complaining.
“I know I still have things to improve in my game… we worked on that a lot this week. So for me, to be there in front of the net at our home opener, it’s sure to be special, it’s going to be an electrifying atmosphere, and everyone is looking forward to that game. But that doesn’t change anything in my approach. It’s the same puck…”
Martin St-Louis obviously doesn’t mind too much about goalkeeper stories.
“There is nothing that motivates my decision,” replied the coach about his choice of goalkeeper for Saturday. It’s a long season, we have three goalkeepers, and he’s the one who will have the next match. »
The Montreal pilot was more voluble about the Bell Center and its importance in the grand scheme of things.
“It’s always important to play well at home… with our fans and the buzz we have here, the energy of the sixth player on the ice, we want to reward our fans with a good effort. »
Everyone probably knows, but we’ll clarify it another time: yes, Connor Bedard is indeed in town, with his Chicago teammates. Saturday night’s game at the Bell Center will be the first here for the young sensation, and the Canadiens players are ready. “A guy like that, with that much talent, you have to know where he is on the ice at all times,” explained Rafaël Harvey-Pinard. You have to have eyes all around your head…”
The Canadian announced that Mike Matheson won the Jean-Béliveau trophy. The Canadian defender was chosen based on his involvement “in the community and for his dedication to helping children develop their physical literacy,” according to what the club announced on Friday. “It’s definitely really special,” explained the Montreal defender. At the same time, we don’t do this to get recognition. But it’s also a great honor to be associated with a name like that. »