Nearly a week after breaking down in front of the media following a tough 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens netminder Jakub Dobes addressed the press again after practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old goaltender, all smiles, discussed his emotional reaction to the defeat and reassured fans that any lingering frustration was firmly in the past.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t lose to them again, especially not in the same way. It pushed me over the edge when it happened the same way in overtime,” Dobes explained. The loss was especially hard for Dobes, as it mirrored a similar defeat to the Devils from the previous season. The fact that the loss happened in the same manner—overtime—was a tough pill to swallow for the young goalie.
Despite his emotional reaction after the game, Dobes emphasized that his mood had already improved. “I was just fine when we got on the plane back from New Jersey that night,” he said, adding that his teammates had a bit of fun at his expense. While Dobes doesn’t plan to change his personality, he acknowledged that as he matures, he may get better at handling results with a more measured approach.
Dobes has been a standout for the Canadiens this season, posting an impressive 6-0-1 record with a 2.25 goals-against average, ranking second in the league among goaltenders who have played at least seven games. His .920 save percentage also ranks fourth in the league. His stellar performance has made him the best rookie goaltender this season, edging out Arturs Silovs of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After watching Samuel Montembeault play the last two games, Dobes will return to the crease on Thursday when the Canadiens host the Dallas Stars. Dobes faced the Stars once last season, earning second-star honors in a 3-1 win with a remarkable .970 save percentage.
As the Canadiens head into their next matchup, Dobes’ resilience and confidence are clear. His early-season success has been a bright spot for Montreal, and as he continues to mature, the young netminder’s leadership and performance will be crucial to the team’s success moving forward.
ST. PAUL, Minn – Before its game against the San Jose Sharks (7-6-3) the Minnesota Wild (7-7-3) recalled defenseman David Spacek from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Spacek, 22, was a fifth round pick by the Wild from the 2022 NHL Draft. He has played in 145 games with the Iowa Wild in parts of three seasons. He has recorded seven goals, 42 assists and 49 points.
The 6-foot defender has six assists in 12 games this season for Iowa. With Jake Middleton sick, adding Spacek will provide the Wild with a seventh defenseman incase someone can’t play tonight.