Overview
- Montreal’s starting goalie, Jakub Dobes, rode Sunday’s 6-2 Game 3 win at the Bell Centre to a 2-1 series edge over Buffalo as fans stood to salute him late in the third period.
- Through 10 postseason starts, the 24-year-old owns a .918 save percentage and a 2.13 goals-against average, figures that have kept a young Canadiens lineup steady under pressure.
- His run gained credibility in Round 1 when he outplayed Tampa Bay star Andrei Vasilevskiy in a 28-save Game 7 that sent Montreal through despite the team recording only nine shots.
- A mid-season switch to goalie coach Marco Marciano is cited for cleaner technique and positioning, with observers noting fewer rebounds, more freezes, and better 5-on-5 results.
- Dobes has leaned into the spotlight yet stayed grounded, saying he is “just a goofy goalie” who tries to stop pucks, with Game 4 against the Sabres scheduled for Tuesday night.