Jakub Dobes against Carolina: “He had his swimming cap on,” says Maxim Lapierre

Mathis Therrien
Jakub Dobes against Carolina: “He had his swimming cap on,” says Maxim Lapierre
Credit: Twitter screenshot

The Canadiens are having a very good holiday/early-year trip at the moment, collecting five points out of a possible six.

These are big points for the Habs, against three big teams, while deploying three different goaltenders.

Jacob Fowler picked up a point in Tampa, Samuel Montembeault regained some confidence in Florida, and Jakub Dobes beat the Carolina Hurricanes, the best team in the Metropolitan Division.

However, no goaltender was sensational on this trip (although Monty was good in Florida), while the Habs' attack saved the team every time, especially on Thursday in Carolina.

Indeed, it was a very tough game for Dobes, who allowed five goals on 25 shots, for a save percentage of .800.

His opposite number Brandon Bussi was no better, with seven goals on 23 shots, but that's not what we're interested in right now.

Dobes looked distraught in his cage, and that's what many people noticed, including Maxim Lapierre, who said that the Habs goaltender had his bathing cap on for this game, so much so that he looked like he was swimming in front of his net.

It's a strong image, but it's quite revealing of what we can note about Dobes' style of play, game after game.

Because yes, against Carolina, Dobes looked bad, but as Pascal Leclaire also states in the latest episode of La Poche Bleue, the Habs goalie swims every game, even when he's good.

The Habs' #75 has a very unorthodox style, and sometimes this makes him look a little crazy on certain sequences, when he's literally swimming in front of his net.

Dobes also allowed goals on shots he'd certainly like to see again against Carolina.

Of course, that's a harsh assessment, because Dobes has been performing well this season, and he did win the game in Carolina, but he's still got a stressful style to watch.

Dobes hadn't played since December 21, and let's just say it showed.

And that's where a three-goal rotation becomes harmful and dangerous, because no goalie is playing enough to stay sharp, confident, and consistent.

A decision will have to be made soon, and it's clear that if we want Samuel Montembeault to regain his confidence, he may have to play more soon, which clearly won't help Dobes.

All this remains to be seen.


Overtime

– It's so tight.

– A vintage game not to be missed tonight.

– Next up for the Senators.

– Let's see what the Panthers do.

– Interesting.

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