For the first time in his career, Jakub Dobes took the ice as the starter in the first game of the regular season. After a shaky preseason, Dobes bounced back and looked like the dominant goalie he was in the playoffs, helping Montreal secure a 3-2 win on the road over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He would allow a goal on the first shot he saw in the game, just 48 seconds into the game, but settled down shortly after that and allowed only two goals on 28 shots in the game against the Maple Leafs. With the win to open the regular season, Dobes joined some elite company in Canadiens history, tying Rick Wamsley for fourth most in the first 60 games played at 37.
Bill Durnan has the record with 46 wins to begin a career, followed by Ken Dryden and George Hainsworth. However, with the win against the Maple Leafs Dobes surpassed Carey Price, who had 36 wins to begin his career.
Jakub Dobes kept the Canadiens in the game and settled down as the game went along
It wasn't easy for Dobes or the Canadiens, as the Maple Leafs came out with a ton of excitement to begin the game. They got that first goal in the opening minute and kept the pressure on Montreal until Dobes made a pivotal save later in the first period.
"I was focusing to make a key save to get a little breathing room," Dobes said. "I know that next save or big chance is important and we scored right after so I am proud of it."
That save was against Auston Matthews when he had a wide-open one-timer. However, Dobes was aggressive and cut off the angle to make the stop on Matthews' shot.
Martin St. Louis noted the impact Dobes had on the game and the way he played to keep the team in it early. "He was excellent and made some really big saves for us, especially early on. We weren't playing fast enough and he bought us some time."
That save Dobes made was seemingly the turning point as a few minutes later Josh Anderson was able to score the equalizer and tie it at one. From that point, the Canadiens had control, and the Maple Leafs never really regained momentum.
The Canadiens showed this summer that they believe in Dobes with a new three-year extension, and at least in the first game, the goalie showed exactly why he was deserving of that new contract.
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