Jakub Dobes Continues to Impress in Net Amid Media Silence
The ongoing saga surrounding Montreal Canadiens' rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes took another intriguing turn on Thursday night. The 24-year-old netminder, who has firmly established himself as the team's first-string goalie, delivered a scintillating performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets, stopping 25 shots in a 2-1 victory at the Bell Centre.
Dobes has now gone three consecutive days without speaking to the Montreal media, sparking speculation about whether this is a personal choice due to anxiety or an organizational decision to protect their players. The rookie has developed a reputation for being one of the most candid and refreshing voices in the locker room, making his current silence particularly notable.
Dobes' Dominant Performance
On the ice, Dobes was nothing short of spectacular. He was beaten only once—on a two-on-one break just over 12 minutes into the game—and then stood tall for the remaining 47 minutes and 43 seconds. His save percentage for the night reached an impressive .962, improving his season record to 24-8-4.
"He made numerous crucial saves throughout the game," noted one observer. "His performance on a Miles Wood breakaway late in the second period was particularly noteworthy, showcasing his athleticism and composure under pressure."
Struble Ends Lengthy Goal Drought
While Dobes commanded attention in goal, defenseman Jayden Struble provided the offensive breakthrough the Canadiens needed. Struble opened the scoring midway through the first period with his first goal of the season, snapping an 87-game goalless drought that dated back to November 26, 2024, against Utah.
"I felt like I was never going to score again," Struble admitted after the game. "It's a huge relief to finally get that one. I'm just super happy we got out of this game with a win."
Struble's goal came on Montreal's third shot of the game, assisted by Zachary Bolduc, who would later score the game-winning goal himself.
Bolduc Breaks His Own Scoring Slump
Zachary Bolduc provided the decisive moment early in the third period, beating Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves high to the stick side from the left-wing circle. The goal marked Bolduc's first since December 23 and ended a 32-game scoring drought.
"It feels good," Bolduc said. "It has been 30-something games. It was an important goal, too—a little bit of a relief. I'm feeling really comfortable on the ice despite the ups and downs throughout the year."
Notable Team Achievements and Statistics
The victory extended several positive trends for the Canadiens:
- Montreal improved to 16-8-1 at home since December 1
- The team maintained its strong road record at 18-8-8 as they prepare for a critical five-game road trip beginning Saturday in Nashville
- Columbus extended its winless streak in Montreal to February 2022
Defenseman Lane Hutson recorded his 70th point of the season with an assist on Struble's goal, joining an elite group of Canadiens defensemen—Chris Chelios, Larry Robinson, and Guy Lapointe—who have achieved this milestone. Robinson accomplished the feat three times, while Lapointe did it twice.
Game Highlights and Observations
The game featured several noteworthy moments beyond the scoring:
- Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis appeared particularly testy during pre-game media availability, demanding "good questions" from reporters
- Montreal started slowly for the second consecutive game, being outshot 8-1 through the first eight minutes
- Columbus managed only 13 shots over the final 40 minutes after recording 13 in the first period alone
- The 162-pound Lane Hutson showed remarkable courage coming to Dobes' defense after the goalie was run over by 204-pound Boone Jenner
- Montreal's power play struggled, going 0-for-2 on the night
Defensively, the Canadiens were solid, blocking 17 shots while committing only eight giveaways. Mike Matheson led the team with four blocked shots, while Noah Dobson logged 24:45 of ice time.
The victory marked Montreal's third consecutive win as they continue to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With Dobes providing elite goaltending and secondary scoring emerging from unexpected sources, the Canadiens appear to be finding their form at a crucial time.
