The Montreal Canadiens have done it once again. In another Game 7 in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Canadiens pulled out a victory. This time it arrived in overtime against the Buffalo Sabres, with Alex Newhook playing the role of hero. The Canadiens now move onto the Eastern Conference Finals to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
While Newhook is getting the deserved recognition for showing up once again in a Game 7, goaltender Jakub Dobes earned plenty of credit as well for once again keeping Montreal in the game. In the 3-2 victory, Dobes saved 37-of-39 shots faced. Dobes played in his second Game 7 in these playoffs, and it took place on the road. Normally, this would be a difficult task for a goalie, especially a rookie. But Dobes has played like a seasoned veteran in these win-or-go-home situations on the road.
After the game, Dobes talked about Sabres fans chanting his name in a mocking tone throughout these playoffs. Dobes thanked Buffalo fans for giving him extra motivation, as he liked being "the villain."
“Their fans like to chant my name… That was giving me fire. I like when you’re the villain.”
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 19, 2026
Jakub Dobeš speaks on Buffalo fans chanting his name during the series. pic.twitter.com/NFnsp6UVQa
"I was just doing my job. Their fans like to chant my name, I like that too," said Dobes. "Thank you. Thanks for that. That was giving me fire. I like when you're the villain."
Jakub Dobes thanks Sabres fans for motivating him in Canadiens' Game 7
In these playoffs, Dobes has built up an incredible amount of confidence as he logged more playoff games to his resume. That, and he's shown that he can step up when the team needs him most.
When the Canadiens are coming off of a loss in these playoffs, Dobes has a perfect 6-0 record with a .942 save percentage and a 1.77 goals allowed average, according to Sportsnet stats. Additionally, Dobes is now only one of two rookie goalies to ever win multiple Game 7s on the road in a single playoff run. The other goaltender to do so was Ken Dryden in 1971, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Canadiens.
Rookie goaltenders in NHL history with multiple Game 7 wins on the road in one postseason
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 19, 2026
Ken Dryden (1971)
Jakub Dobes (2026)
End of list#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/dMyfEQr8zx
It truly has been a special run for Dobes, who showed that he is a key cog in Montreal's youth movement alongside Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Ivan Demidov. The Canadiens weren't given much of a chance entering these playoffs by experts, as they believed Dobes' goaltending wasn't enough to push them through the tough path they faced. Yet, Dobes has silenced them through two rounds.
In these playoffs, Dobes has a .910 save percentage and a 2.52 goals allowed average, while leading all goalies with eight wins, 858:13 of ice time, and 363 saves.
The Canadiens do face a tough test in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Hurricanes, who haven't lost in the playoffs yet. But if this run has shown us anything, it's that you can't count Montreal out. With the Canadiens starting the series on the road, we'll see if Hurricanes fans will give Dobes extra motivation. Based on the Sabres series, it might not be the best idea.
Add us as a preferred source on Google