Montreal Canadiens secured a 6‑3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, taking a 3‑2 edge in their best‑of‑seven series. The win was anchored by a resilient performance from rookie netminder Jakub Dobes, who turned a shaky start into a commanding finish.
Dobes surrendered three goals on his first four shots, but steadied himself to make 32 of 35 saves, a turnaround that kept Montreal in contention. Coach Martin St. Louis, trusting the young goalie, declined to pull him despite the early onslaught, a decision endorsed by goalie coach Marco Marciano, who highlighted the importance of mental continuity.
A pivotal moment arrived in the second period when Dobes denied Tage Thompson on a breakaway, a save that sparked a three‑goal burst in the final 12 minutes of the frame, shifting the series momentum decisively.
Forward Juraj Slafkovsky noted that Dobes was screened on two of Buffalo’s early goals, yet praised his resilience and the team’s trust in him, emphasizing that the netminder’s body language improved as the game progressed.
Teammates and Coach Praise Resilience
Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki both lauded Dobes’ mental toughness, pointing to his ability to rebound after adversity as a catalyst for the Canadiens’ surge. Their comments underscored the confidence the locker room has placed in the young goaltender.