At times this season, the goaltending for the Montreal Canadiens has been a big concern. However, since the Olympic break, Jakub Dobes has been exceptional and one of the reasons the Canadiens not only made the playoffs but are on the verge of advancing with a 3-2 series lead going into Friday night's Game 6.
However, Henrik Lundqvist recently shared his rankings for goalies in the Eastern Conference Playoffs during NHL on TNT on Wednesday night. Of the remaining teams at the time, this was before the Flyers eliminated the Penguins, Lundqvist had Dobes seventh of the seven remaining goalies.
.@HLundqvist reveals his Eastern Conference HANKINGS 👀 pic.twitter.com/X8pIEEZXN1
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 30, 2026
Dobes may not have the resume of some of the other goalies still in the playoffs, but if the rankings are for the level of play in these playoffs, it is hard to make the argument that Andrei Vasilevskiy is the best goalie and Dobes is the worst when their numbers have been almost identical.
Jakub Dobes should be in at least the Top 3 among goalies in the Eastern Conference
When looking at these rankings, which don't even include Linus Ullmark as the Senators were swept, Dobes has a strong argument to be at least Top 3. For starters, Alex Lyon and Arturs Siovs should not be ranked ahead of Dobes, as neither began their respective series as the starters. Both players have played in only three games, and while both were good, Dobes has been excellent over the entire series.
Frederik Andersen has been great for the Carolina Hurricanes and should be in the Top 3 alongside Jakub Dobes. Dan Vladar has been almost unbeatable and warrants Top 3 consideration to round out those rankings.
This means that Andrei Vasilevskiy or Jeremy Swayman should be on the outside looking in. Both players have had their moments, but haven't been as good as Lundqvist ranks them.
Vasilevskiy has a higher goals against average (2.68) and a lower save percentage (.880) than Dobes because he has faced fewer shots. Meanwhile, Swayman has allowed the most 5v5 goals in the Eastern Conference at 12, according to Natural Stat Trick.
A series win for the Montreal Canadiens certainly can help Dobes get the recognition he should but even at this point, he has been much better than last in the Eastern Conference among goalies.
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