Jakub Dobes and Martin St-Louis give their message to the referees

Tonight’s game against the Capitals was a mixed bag.

In a 5-2 setback (including two empty-net goals), Tom Wilson and Alex Ovechkin, with their strong play, got the Habs out of that game, one check at a time.

Alexandre Carrier… Jake Evans… almost any guy, really.

The main angle of Tom Wilson’s hit on Carrier really shows how hard it was Jesus pic.twitter.com/oabNm0wWIL

– Pax (@pax173) April 28, 2025

But what we could notice was that the refereeing was once again the talk of the town. But this time, it looked like it was more the Habs who were the “victims” of the referees’ calls.

And the CH team doesn’t seem to be hiding it.

Jakub Dobes, who wasn’t bad during the game, awarded a goal because Alexandre Carrier was hit hard, creating a natural overhit in favor of the Caps.

And the goalie doesn’t understand the lack of penalty on the hit, which was a turning point in the game and the series.

I guess I don’t know the rules.

I feel like the referees should have whistled. I mean, it was scary, but I guess the rules don’t apply to everyone in this league. – Jakub Dobes

“I guess I don’t really know the rules, I felt like it should have been a whistle, I mean it was kind of a scary but I guess the rules don’t apply to everyone in this league.”

Jakub Dobeš on the hit leading to Washington’s second goal… pic.twitter.com/K8uIlJTAL5

– BarDown (@BarDown) April 28, 2025

And Martin St-Louis?

Without going as far as his goalie, we sensed the coach was irritated. He clearly didn’t want to talk to the media (nothing against journalists personally, but just because of the timing) because he didn’t want to escape. The coach simply talked about decisions that were difficult to watch.

Martin St-Louis downcast in front of the media:

“I feel bad for the group, I don’t really know what to say to them. If you have any answers, you’ll let me know.”

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Later in English, he talked about some of the officials’ decisions that were hard to watch.

– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) April 28, 2025

St-Louis, who asked reporters for suggestions on what to say to his players to cheer them up, wanted to get his message across quietly. But with his goalie’s comments to boot, we understand.

The CH has been told not to overdo it (as have the Caps, for that matter), and you get the feeling that MSL would have liked the referees to practice what they preached.

Martin St. Louis says “he’s choosing his words carefully,” and that it’s hard to understand how the game was called.
“One of the mandates for the game was embellishment,” he said, and that seemed like a comment about Dubois/Dvorak.

– Eric Engels (@EricEngels) April 28, 2025

in a row

– It would take a miracle to put this back together.

FWIW, the #Habs were down 3-1 to the #ALLCAPS in 2010 too…

– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) April 28, 2025

– Alexandre Carrier: no update.

No update on #Habs Alexandre Carrier was provided tonight

– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) April 28, 2025

– He said all the right things in the press conference.

Martin St-Louis:

“We’re digesting this defeat right now. It’s hard to express how proud I am of the group. We’re still in the battle.”

– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) April 28, 2025

– The CH goalie wasn’t naughty.

Dobes played well – Mangiapane’s goal was weak but he made some good saves and responded well in an insane environment. This team wasn’t built for the playoffs. Losing sucks, but even if it ends on Wednesday this has been a great learning experience for the kids.

– HabsLinks (@HabsLinks) April 28, 2025