Jakub Dobes is back in goal for the Canadiens tonight

For this crucial game, the Habs are going with their trusted goaltender.
The club announced that Jakub Dobes will be in net for the team tonight. The game will take place in Detroit, and Martin St-Louis's men need a win.
So this news makes perfect sense.

Dobes will defend the net against Detroit

Dobes's net tonight vs. Detroit#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/2OL8uc8mm0
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) March 19, 2026
After his big game against the Bruins on Tuesday, it made sense to see Dobes get a vote of confidence tonight. A late-season division game against a team fighting for survival—that's important.
Will Jacob Fowler get the start in Saturday night's game against the Islanders? We'll see. Seeing Dobes back in the lineup wouldn't be a surprise either, at this point.

With Josh Anderson's injury, we should expect to see Joe Veleno return to the Canadiens' lineup. After all, Patrik Laine was never really an option… and Martin St-Louis said it won't be Laine.
Arber Xhekaj also skated extra, which really suggests that Veleno will play. And that, too, makes a lot of sense.

Patrik Laine and Arber Xhekaj on the ice this morning.
This suggests they'll be on the bench for tonight's game.

Stay tuned for the coach's update, but we should expect Joe Veleno to return to the lineup against his former team. @RDSca
— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) March 19, 2026

Details to follow…

In a nutshell– Oh?

Prince Owusu left the game before the end after a slight collision with Thomas Gillier.

He has ice on his ankle, on the sideline. #CFMTL
— Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) March 19, 2026
— Well deserved.

This is making a lot of people in Toronto very happy. https://t.co/bc1I7Soumy
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) March 19, 2026
— Good question.

Who has the better defense between the Red Wings and the Canadiens? pic.twitter.com/5bkIiVPLEV
— BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) March 19, 2026
– Wow.

Put your hand up if you're grateful for Erik Karlsson
Most Points Since Olympic Break:
Nikita Kucherov – 20
Martin Necas – 19
Connor McDavid – 19
Erik Karlsson – 17

Karlsson also has multiple points in FIVE of his last six games (3G-9A) pic.twitter.com/v0QFNYY0p1
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) March 19, 2026