The Montreal Canadiens’ recent three-game road trip through California proved to be a test of resilience, marked by comebacks, close calls, and a salvaged result.
The Canadiens initially fought back from a three-goal deficit in the third period against the San Jose Sharks, only to see a potential victory slip away due to a late penalty. A similar scenario unfolded in Anaheim against the Ducks, where a three-goal third-period rally was undone by a tying goal with just 42 seconds remaining, leading to a shootout loss. However, the team found success Saturday night in Los Angeles, overcoming another third-period deficit to secure a hard-fought win.
Montreal returns home with three points from a possible six, a respectable outcome considering the circumstances and the nature of the contests.
Defensive Challenges and Goaltending Reliance
The Canadiens complicated matters for themselves in each game with defensive lapses, prompting questions about the need for experienced defensive depth. The team was outshot in two of the three contests, most notably in Los Angeles where the Kings held a 39-23 advantage.
A particularly slow start in Los Angeles saw Montreal manage only one shot on goal in the first period – a first for the team in three years. Throughout the season, the Canadiens have been limited to two or fewer shots in a period only once, and three or fewer shots on five occasions.
Despite averaging 26.3 shots per game, placing them 25th in the NHL, the quality of those shots has been a strength, as indicated by statistics from Natural Stat Trick. The Canadiens generated more scoring chances than their opponents in San Jose (18-17) and Anaheim (25-21). However, the Kings dominated in this area (35-22 for scoring chances and 19-11 for dangerous chances), yet Montreal still managed to secure the win.
The team also struggled with maintaining leads, holding the advantage for just 6 minutes and 23 seconds against the Kings, compared to 14 minutes and 33 seconds in San Jose and 14 minutes and 37 seconds in Anaheim.
A Tale of Two Goalies
The Canadiens’ fortunes on this road trip were heavily influenced by the performance of their goaltenders, who demonstrated both brilliance and vulnerability. Jakub Dobes endured a demanding night in San Jose, allowing six goals on 27 shots for a save percentage of .778. However, he rebounded spectacularly in Los Angeles, stopping 36 of 39 shots for a .923 save percentage – a performance that proved crucial to the Canadiens’ victory.
Dobes currently boasts twice as many wins as Samuel Montembeault with 20, but his goals-against average remains high at 3.03, and his save percentage is below .900 at .891, ranking him 39th among goaltenders with at least 20 games played. Despite these numbers, Dobes has only lost one of his last 13 regular-season starts, posting a 10-1-2 record with a save percentage of .895.
Montembeault, meanwhile, continues to struggle. He lost his only shootout start on the trip, conceding 5 goals on 33 shots to the Ducks for a save percentage of .848, below his season average of .872.
Across the three games, the Canadiens conceded 15 goals, including one into an empty net, meaning their goaltenders allowed 14 goals. This represents a significant challenge for the team.
Looking Ahead
The Canadiens’ road trip highlighted both their offensive capabilities – demonstrated by their repeated comebacks – and their defensive vulnerabilities. The team’s reliance on strong goaltending is evident, and consistent performances from Dobes and Montembeault will be critical as they push towards the end of the regular season.
The team will need to address its defensive consistency and shot-limiting issues to become a more reliable contender. The coaching staff will likely focus on tightening up the defensive structure and improving puck possession in the coming practices.
Montreal returns home to face the [next opponent to be confirmed] on [date to be confirmed] at the Bell Centre. Fans can find the latest updates and game information on the team’s official website: https://www.nhl.com/canadiens.
Worth a look
