The Canadiens have played stable hockey for most of the season with a young group. They have stayed near the top of the Atlantic by keeping a simple approach — identifying mistakes and fixing them.
Their strong effort and balanced scoring have helped them respond well after tough losses. That mindset was on display again during their recent stretch at home.
Former Canadiens Goalie Carey Price Offered Encouragement to Sam Montembeault
The Canadiens have won five out of their last six games, but what matters more is the teams that they have defeated in this stretch. Montreal has toppled the Dallas Stars, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, twice.
All are capable teams and playoff contenders. Toppling the Panthers twice was a particularly challenging task, and much of the credit for accomplishing the feat goes to Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault. He has won three straight games, including both games against the Panthers, after a shaky start to his season.
In his most recent game, Montreal picked up a 6-2 win over the Panthers at the Bell Centre on Jan. 8. The Canadiens played with pace and control, pulled away late, and improved to 8-1-2 in their last 11 games. Montembeault stopped 25 shots and gave Montreal steady play in the net.
Montembeault’s season has not been completely smooth despite the team’s success. He has faced inconsistency earlier in the season, which has affected his overall numbers. Heavy usage and missing defensive support at times contributed to his struggles, leaving him unsettled in the net.
During that stretch, Montembeault received a message from a familiar name. Sportsnet reporter Eric Engels shared on X that Montembeault said Carey Price texted him earlier this season and told him to “keep his head up and his body language positive no matter how tough things get.” The note carried weight coming from a former franchise goalie who understands the demands of the position in Montreal.
Price was traded to the San Jose Sharks in Sept. 2025, but his presence still resonates with the Canadiens. He is a future Hockey Hall of Famer with 361 career wins, all with Montreal.
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Montembeault’s tough stretch has even led to his name being brought up in trade talks. He is playing under a three-year, $9.45 million contract with a $3.15 million cap hit that runs through the 2026-27 season, which has added attention to his form.
However, on the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman raised questions about Montreal’s direction, saying, “You can solve your problem, or you can trade your problem; if you’re trading a problem like that, you’re at a disadvantage.”
Montreal is staying patient for the moment, considering Montembeault is finding his form once again. The Canadiens will host the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 10 at the Bell Centre. Both teams sit near the top of the standings, making it an important game.
It will be interesting to see if the Canadiens start Montembeault once again as they look to extend their momentum.