samuel montembeault malade

Canadiens Goaltending Crisis: Samuel Montembeault Illness Forces Emergency Roster Shuffle Before Blues Clash

Montreal, QC – The Montreal Canadiens' goaltending situation, already a topic of intense discussion throughout the 2025-26 NHL season, took a chaotic turn this weekend. In a dramatic 11th-hour twist, starter Samuel Montembeault was ruled out due to illness, forcing General Manager Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St-Louis to execute an emergency recall from Laval.

What was scripted as a routine back-to-back for Montembeault transformed into a litmus test for the organization's depth, thrusting young netminder Jakub Dobes into the spotlight and reshuffling the tactical deck against the St. Louis Blues.

The Breaking News: A Saturday Morning Shake-up

The sequence of events unfolded with rapidly shifting details. According to verified reports from La Presse, the initial plan was clear: Samuel Montembeault was slated to start against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, December 7th. The Quebec-born goaltender was expected to carry the load in the second half of a back-to-back, a role he has embraced this season.

However, that strategy collapsed on Saturday morning. La Presse confirmed the headline: "Montembeault malade, Kahkonen rappelé" (Montembeault sick, Kahkonen recalled).

The Canadiens moved quickly to secure coverage. Official team communication, confirmed by NHL.com, detailed that Kaapo Kahkonen was ceded to the Laval Rocket. However, the immediate on-ice solution was not Kahkonen, but rather the young Czech goaltender already in the building.

The Timeline of a Goaltending Shuffle

To understand the gravity of the situation, one must look at the precise timeline of how the Canadiens' crease management evolved over 48 hours.

1. The Original Plan: The coaching staff intended for Montembeault to play against St. Louis. As reported by supplementary sources, the plan was for Monty to face Jordan Binnington.
2. The Diagnosis: On Saturday morning, Montembeault was deemed unfit to play due to illness. TVA Sports reported that the team immediately summoned "un gardien d’urgence" (an emergency goaltender).
3. The Recall vs. The Ice Solution: While news broke that Kahkonen was being recalled, the immediate ice solution was Jakub Dobes. Dobes had already started the previous night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, securing a 2-1 victory in a shootout with 22 saves.
4. The Double Duty: With Montembeault out, Dobes was forced to start his second game in 24 hours.

The irony of the situation was palpable. If Montembeault had been healthy, he would have played Saturday against Toronto, allowing Dobes to rest and start Sunday against St. Louis. Instead, the rookie was thrust into a rare "double-header" scenario.

Contextual Background: The Habs' Crease Conundrum

This incident does not happen in a vacuum. The 2025-26 season has been defined by the Canadiens' attempt to stabilize their goaltending pipeline. Samuel Montembeault has shouldered a heavy workload, emerging as the undisputed number one. His consistency has been vital for a team navigating a competitive Atlantic Division.

The reliance on Montembeault makes any absence—especially a sudden illness during a grueling stretch of the schedule—highly significant. The organization has been balancing the development of Jakub Dobes with the need to win games. Dobes, a highly regarded prospect, has shown flashes of NHL readiness, but the "Montembeault illness" scenario accelerated his exposure to high-pressure situations.

Furthermore, the presence of Kaapo Kahkonen, a veteran acquired to provide stability in Laval (and emergency NHL cover), highlights the "next man up" philosophy. However, the speed of the switch—from a planned Montembeault start to a Dobes back-to-back—illustrates the fragility of NHL roster planning.

Immediate Effects: Impact on the Ice and in the Standings

The immediate impact of Montembeault's illness was a forced tactical adjustment against a heavy St. Louis Blues team.

1. Physical Toll on Dobes: Playing 60 minutes of NHL hockey is taxing; playing back-to-back is grueling. Dobes, who performed admirably against Toronto, had to dig deep physically and mentally against St. Louis. The supplementary research indicates that while Dobes wasn't "bad," the team acknowledged he was often left to his own devices. The lack of rest between games is a significant disadvantage for any goaltender, let alone a rookie.

2. Defensive Responsibility: The skaters in front of Dobes had to recognize the heightened need for defensive support. Knowing their goalie had already played the night before—and that the starter was down—likely altered the defensive shell. The Canadiens were forced to prioritize shot blocking and limiting high-danger chances to preserve their goaltender's energy.

3. The Kahkonen Factor: While Kahkonen was recalled, he served as the safety net. The fact that the Canadiens recalled Kahkonen rather than simply relying on an emergency backup (EBUG) shows a commitment to having a fresh professional ready, should Dobes falter or suffer an injury.

Martin St-Louis’s Revelation: Changing the Narrative

Following the game against the Blues, a loss for the Canadiens, Head Coach Martin St-Louis made a significant revelation that shifted the perspective on the situation. While the team lost 4-3, the conversation shifted from the loss itself to the resilience shown by the roster.

St-Louis noted the mental toughness required for Dobes to step in under those circumstances. Furthermore, there was a "major revelation" regarding Montembeault's status. While the initial reports were strictly about an illness, the post-game commentary suggested that the decision to hold Montembeault out was not just precautionary, but a necessity.

St-Louis's handling of the situation reinforces his reputation for managing personalities and workloads. By shielding Montembeault from a game he wasn't physically ready for, the coach prioritized the long-term health of his starter over a single game in the standings.

Future Outlook: What Comes Next for Montembeault and the Habs?

As the dust settles on this chaotic weekend, the Canadiens look toward the immediate future with questions lingering in the crease.

1. The Health of Samuel Montembeault: The primary concern is the recovery timeline. Illness in a locker room can be contagious and debilitating. The Canadiens will need Montembeault back at 100% as soon as possible to return stability to the rotation. His absence leaves a void in leadership and experience in the net.

2. The Development of Jakub Dobes: This weekend was a massive trial by fire for Dobes. He proved he can handle the workload of an NHL starter, even in less-than-ideal circumstances. His performance against Toronto (a win) and his battle against St. Louis will likely earn him more starts in the near future, perhaps even if Montembeault needs an extra day to rest.

3. Roster Flexibility: The emergency recall of Kahkonen may be a temporary measure. Depending on the severity of Montembeault's illness, the Canadiens might need to make a more permanent decision regarding their goaltending depth chart. If Montembeault is out long-term, could we see Kahkonen stick around as a backup option, or will they lean entirely on the Dobes/Montembeault tandem?

Conclusion: A Testament to Depth

The "Samuel Montembeault malade" saga is more than just a headline about a sick player; it is a case study in the unpredictability of the NHL season. For the Montreal Canadiens, the weekend of December 7th was a stress test.

They faced a sudden emergency, relied on a rookie to play 120 minutes of hockey in two days, and managed the expectations of the fanbase. While the loss to the Blues stings, the organization proved it has the infrastructure to handle adversity.

As fans await updates on Montembeault's recovery, the Canadiens must regroup. The goaltending carousel has spun, and while the starter is currently sidelined, the team's resolve remains intact. Whether it is Montembeault returning to form or Dobes seizing the moment, the Habs' crease remains the most compelling story in Montreal.

This report is based on verified news coverage from La Presse, NHL.com, and TVA Sports. Additional context was provided through supplementary hockey reporting.