To put a point bluntly, Montreal has been struggling with goaltending all season long, and every team in the league knows it. It's been at the forefront of any discourse around the team. The topic has taken over the power play efficiency at home, the ability to hold on to late leads and even the defensive breakdowns. The topic under the microscope has been the position between the pipes.
And who can blame the market of the Montreal fanbase? A fanbase that has had the likes of Price and Roy, and Dryden grace the hallowed name of the Canadiens? It's a new problem associated with a rebuilding team, a problem that may have a solution holding the name of Czech rookie Jakub Dobes.
When points have mattered most, the Canadiens management has repeatedly leaned on the 24-year-old from Ostrava, and time and time again, he has delivered. In 35 games played this season, Dobes has won 23 of those games, losing just 8 in regulation and 4 in overtime. The most wins of any rookie netminder this season. Yes, you read that correctly, Dobes has played exactly half of the Canadiens games this season.
In fact, one could squarely put the win against the Hurricanes to keep themselves in the Eastern Conference playoff race, thanks to Dobes. The Canadiens kicked off their first of two battles in the week against Carolina in a less-than-desirable fashion. The Canadiens went down 1-0 early thanks to an untimely penalty taken by the freshly returned Josh Anderson, then an instance of blown defensive coverage that was pounced on by Jordan Staal for the 2-0 goal. If not for Dobes's efforts, the Habs could have been further punished after being outshot 16-4 in the first frame.
Montreal took a 3-2 lead in the second period (and did not look back once, snagging it.) The Habs proceeded to be shelled in their own end, including an arduous final three minutes of play with the Canes' goalie pulled. Again, Dobes held firm, stopping shot after shot, and even got a look at the long-range empty netter, ultimately closing things out as the game's first star.
With the triumph over Carolina, Montreal moves two points squarely ahead of the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators for the sole possession of the third spot with 88 points in the Atlantic Division. Montreal sits just five points behind Tampa Bay for second and seven back of the Sabres for first.
At the conclusion of the game, Dobes asked the crowd at the Bell Center a simple question, "Ça va?" and the crowd erupted in cheers.
When Dobes is in net, the Canadiens and their fanbase are indeed doing well.