Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) makes a save against Washington Capitals' Ethen Frank (53) during the second period of NHL hockey action in Montreal on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.
The Montreal Canadiens entered Thursday night’s game against the Washington Capitals with just one win in seven games. A victory would have tied them for first place in the Atlantic Division, but their season-long goaltending woes struck again.
By the time Alexander Ovechkin scored his second goal, Canadiens netminders had allowed six goals on 30 shots, making an NHL win impossible. The Capitals cruised to an 8-4 victory, leaving Montreal with more questions than answers.
Promising Start Falls Apart
The Canadiens started strong, outshooting Washington 12-6 in the first period. Their energy and effort suggested they might shake off recent struggles.
The power play finally broke its zero-for-17 slump with a goal from Brendan Gallagher, assisted by Ivan Demidov and Noah Dobson. Joe Veleno scored his first goal of the season, showcasing impressive skill and precision.
Joshua Roy had a standout game, while Zachary Bolduc and the top line of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield showed noticeable improvement. Suzuki’s goal hinted at potential chemistry despite the absence of Juraj Slafkovsky.
The third period brought further promise as Mike Matheson finished sustained pressure from the top line. Noah Dobson also delivered one of his best games this season, pairing effectively with Matheson.
Canadiens’ Goaltending Crisis Continues
The Canadiens’ performance was undermined by horrific goaltending. No team can compete in the NHL with an .800 save percentage, and Montreal’s netminders have struggled consistently.
Samuel Montembeault allowed three goals on 10 shots before being pulled. Jakub Dobes replaced him, giving up two more goals on 10 shots. Together, their save percentage was a disastrous .750 in the first two periods.
Several goals were preventable. Ethen Frank scored on long-distance wrist shots, while Montembeault and Dobes were out of position on multiple occasions. Fundamental errors and poor technique plagued the Canadiens throughout the game.
Injuries Add to the Troubles
Adding to Montreal’s frustration, Jake Evans left the game after an elbow from Tom Wilson. He may have suffered a shoulder injury or concussion, raising concerns given his injury history. Evans’ absence immediately led to a Capitals goal.
Prospects Struggle in Laval
While the Montreal Rocket dominate the AHL’s North Division, the Canadiens’ top prospects are underperforming. Laurent Dauphin leads with 17 points but is a career minor-leaguer. Others, like Florian Xhekaj, Luke Tuch, Owen Beck, and Filip Mesar, have failed to make meaningful progress.
Defense prospects like David Reinbacher show promise but lack offensive upside. Adam Engstrom remains a solid third-pair option, while Jacob Fowler is the standout, posting a .921 save percentage in his first AHL season.
Some younger players, including Alexander Zharovsky in Russia and Michael Hage at Michigan, offer hope for future NHL contributions. However, overall prospect development remains a concern for the organization.
Canadiens’ Outlook
Montreal’s forwards and defense played well at times, but goaltending failures continue to define the team’s struggles. Without significant improvement between the pipes, wins will remain out of reach.
While flashes of skill and effort provide hope, Canadiens fans face an ongoing challenge: balancing player development with the pressing need to compete at the NHL level. Until their goaltending stabilizes, Montreal’s playoff hopes will remain fragile.
