The Montreal Canadiens face an uncertain start to their goaltending situation as their most seasoned netminder recovers from injury after a struggling campaign. With the veteran goalie sidelined, the team’s backup—who has shown hesitation about assuming a full-time role—may need to rely on an unexpected contributor who has recently taken on a larger share of the workload. The shift in responsibility raises questions about stability and performance as the team prepares for the upcoming season. How the trio balances confidence, experience, and emerging talent could shape the franchise’s defensive foundation.

The Montreal Canadiens' goaltending situation is an interesting NHL tidbit to watch. The most experienced goalie, Samuel Montembeault, is injured and coming off a poor season. Jakub Dobes is lacking confidence to start the 2026-27 NHL campaign, and Jacob Fowler has unexpectedly stepped up.