
By swapping Cayden Primeau for Jakub Dobes in the #2 goalie position, the Canadiens resolved what had been a huge issue for them since the start of the season. Martin St-Louis had lost confidence in Primeau, to the extent that Samuel Montembeault had to play all of the club’s games.
This put immense pressure on the team’s #1 goalie… but today, the story is quite different.
In fact, Montembeault may still feel a bit of pressure… but this time, it’s because his backup is playing some really great hockey. Dobes has won his first five career games, and he has only allowed eight goals during those matches.
Meanwhile, things are going well for Primeau in Laval… but he is well aware of what is happening with the big club, as Dave Lévesque (TVA Sports) reports:
It’s hard not to notice what [Dobes] is doing. – Cayden Primeau
«C’est dur de ne pas remarquer ce qu’il fait»https://t.co/LHy9xign6r
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 20, 2025
Obviously, one may wonder how Primeau, who was indeed in that position earlier this season, feels when he sees rookie Dobes performing like this with the big club. After all, it’s a level of performance he has not been able to reach in the NHL… and one might wonder if he regrets letting his chance slip away.
Because when you watch Dobes play right now, you can truly think that he won’t let someone (Primeau, for example) take his net away anytime soon.
Pascal Vincent, who coached Dobes in Laval before Christmas, is also happy for his former protégé… but we agree that in his case, it’s easier to give love to Dobes since he is not in direct competition with him.
We will see if Primeau, who has only allowed six goals in four games since his return to Laval, can rebuild his confidence to eventually establish himself in the NHL for good. That said, even if that happens, seeing Dobes perform like this with Montembeault in town for the long haul and Jacob Fowler on the way… it makes one wonder if Primeau has played his last game in the Canadiens uniform.
In brief
– Speaking of Dobes.
McGuire: Dobes save on Trocheck was massive https://t.co/3OPQJgnVOg
— TSN 690 Montreal (@TSN690) January 20, 2025
– David Pastrnak “feels great”.
After today’s game, I asked #NHLBruins David Pastrnak if he was back to 100% after suffering an injury at the World Championships last Spring, “I don’t feel like you’re 100% ever. I can’t say I’m 100% but I’m feeling great out there.”
— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) January 20, 2025
– Great read on Owen Beck.
Owen Beck profite à fond de sa première saison chez les professionnels
Read ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/LSTTzHlIeI
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2025
– It’s heavy in Vancouver.
Times are tense in Vancouver, and it’s not getting any better…
Pierre McGuire: “Something is wrong with the team and I don’t know how that happened”#Canucks #thesickpodcast | @MurphysLaw74 pic.twitter.com/nqKk3tYO9Z
— The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test (@sickpodnhl) January 20, 2025