It was a special day for Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, who achieved an unforgettable NHL debut against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers. Dobes, freshly called up from the Laval Rocket, showcased his skills with not just a good performance, but remarkable flair, managing to shut out his opponents with 34 saves, leading to a 4-0 victory on Saturday.
The game marked the first career start for Dobes, who was thrust under immense pressure following the Canadiens’ loss of faith in 25-year-old goaltender Cayden Primeau. The Canadiens had placed Primeau on waivers shortly before the game after he struggled significantly, posting a 4.70 goals-against average (GAA) and .836 save percentage this season. The decision to bring Dobes up from the AHL undoubtedly paid off. According to the Associated Press, "Dobes stopped 34 shots in his NHL debut," making him the fourth goalie to record such success for the franchise and the first since Yann Danis accomplished the feat back on October 12, 2005.
From the drop of the puck, it was clear Dobes was ready. The young goalie faced 10 shots from the Panthers right off the bat, and he made every save look effortless, confidently handling the pressure as his team built momentum. While Dobes stood tall, his counterpart Spencer Knight did not let the situation go unnoticed, also refusing to yield goals as he stopped all attempts by the Canadiens through the first period. Both goalies effectively kept the game scoreless after 20 minutes.
Entering the second frame, the Panthers seemed determined to turn the tide, pressing hard with high shot volume on Dobes. But Dobes met the challenge head-on, stopping 14 shots during the period and bearing down as the atmosphere grew tense. The breakthrough came for Montreal with Kirby Dach netting two goals, the first of which turned the tide of the game, starting with precise coordination from Kaiden Guhle and Alex Newhook, delivering the decisive passes for Dach's tip-in. Notably, Newhook provided another assist, skillfully launching Dach alone on net for the second goal.
Further tightening their grip, shorthanded, the Canadiens saw Jake Evans contribute to the score sheet, stretching his own goal streak to four games with another impressive score, pushing the score to 3-0. The Panthers, having outshot the Canadiens 24-17 through two periods, found themselves stifled by Dobes as they couldn’t find the back of the net.
Heading to the third period, Dobes continued his brilliant show, denying all attempts from the Panthers. He made spectacular saves, especially against shots from point-blank range, proving pivotal to maintaining the shutout against the persistent Panthers. With less than six minutes remaining, Cole Caufield sealed the win by scoring off a perfect pass from Juraj Slafkovsky, marking the game 4-0.
Analysts have pointed out the historical significance of Dobes’ performance. He became, as noted by the Associated Press, "the first goaltender to record a shutout against the defending Stanley Cup champion in his NHL debut since Daren Puppa for Buffalo at Edmonton on Nov. 1, 1985." Such statistics illuminate just how monumental and potentially transformative this game could be for both Dobes and the Canadiens moving forward.
Looking to the future, the Canadiens feel the mild breeze of victory taking them through their upcoming matches, buoyed by this stunning team performance. They have several challenges to come, with their next game scheduled against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canadiens have now clinched four wins out of their last five matches, signaling positive momentum and renewed spirit amid the challenges they faced earlier this season.
For Dobes, the narrative holds exciting promise as he steps onto the ice with newfound confidence after this emphatic debut. A night to celebrate, there is hope reverberated through the roster, not only for the young goalie but for the entire team as they strive for progression within the league.
