Jakub Dobes Stops 28 Shots as Canadiens Edge Lightning 2-1 in Game 7

Key facts

• Jakub Dobes made 28 saves in Game 7, helping Montreal win 2-1.
• Dobes posted a 2.03 GAA and.923 save percentage in the seven-game series.
• Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy had a 2.18 GAA and.897 save percentage in the series.
• Montreal went 26:55 without a shot on goal in Game 7.
• Dobes revealed he told Nikita Kucherov, 'I know you guys are nervous.'
• The Canadiens will face the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Second Round.
• Henrik Lundqvist ranked Dobes seventh among Eastern Conference starting goaltenders in the playoffs.
• Dobes had a 29-10-4 record in 43 regular-season appearances.

A Rookie Stands Tall in the Decisive Game

Jakub Dobes stopped 28 of 29 shots on Sunday night, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First Round series. The win sends Montreal to the second round for the first time since 2021. Dobes, 24, was named the first star of the game. His performance was all the more remarkable because his teammates managed only nine shots on goal and went 26 minutes 55 seconds without a single shot during the contest. The lone goal he allowed came on a deflection by Dominic James.

Dobes Outplays Vasilevskiy Across the Series

Over the seven-game series, Dobes posted a 2.03 goals-against average and a.923 save percentage. By contrast, Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, a future Hall of Famer, finished with a 2.18 GAA and an.897 save percentage. Dobes went 4-3 in the series. “Dobes is one of the hockey gods,” said Canadiens forward Phillip Danault. The rookie’s steady play allowed Montreal to survive stretches of heavy pressure from Tampa Bay.

Trash Talk with Kucherov Reveals Confidence

After the game, Dobes disclosed what he said to Lightning star Nikita Kucherov as they skated off the ice at the end of the second period. “He was probably chirping at me a lot almost every single period. He said something, and I said pretty much, ‘I know you guys are nervous,’ and that was the end of the conversation,” Dobes told the NHL on TNT crew. “I just wanted to show him that I’m confident, too. He’s an elite player, but we have really good players, too, and we don’t lack confidence in our locker room. This kind of stuff is only going to make us better.”

Locker Room Camaraderie Fuels the Rookie

After the game, Dobes was ambushed with a shaving-cream shower by fellow goalies Jacob Fowler and Sam Montembeault. Laughing as he wiped off the goo, Dobes said, “About the shaving cream, we have a great group of guys, a great group of goalies. I love those guys. They’re awesome. But I can’t wait for next practice. I’ll have something prepared for them.” Dobes credited his teammates for supporting him throughout the season. “Many times during the season the guys bail me out and help me out. And I try to do the same. Sometimes they don’t play good, sometimes I don’t play good. They’ve always got my back and I’ve always got theirs. That’s our mentality.”

Lundqvist Ranking Adds Extra Motivation

Before the series ended, NHL legend Henrik Lundqvist appeared on TNT and ranked the top seven Eastern Conference starting goaltenders left in the playoffs. He placed Dobes at No. 7, below every other netminder on the list. At that point, Dobes had a 3-2-0 record, a.903 save percentage, and a 2.49 GAA through five games. Dobes’s regular-season numbers — a 29-10-4 record,.901 save percentage, and 2.78 GAA in 43 appearances — suggest he has room to climb. The ranking may serve as additional fuel as he prepares for the next round.

Canadiens Face Sabres in All-Atlantic Second Round

Montreal will now face the Buffalo Sabres, who defeated the Boston Bruins in six games in their first-round series. The matchup pits two of the youngest and most promising teams in the NHL against each other. Both squads are expected to contend for years to come. the series is a true pick ’em, with betting odds set at -110 for either side. The Canadiens will need a complete team effort to advance, but Dobes’s continued strong play in net will be critical. His confidence, already high after beating the Lightning and trading words with Kucherov, may reach another level.

A Defining Moment for Montreal’s Young Core

The Canadiens’ Game 7 victory was not a masterpiece — they managed little offensive zone pressure and failed to record a single shot in the second period. But they found a way to win, thanks largely to Dobes. The dagger came midway through the third period when Alex Newhook batted a loose puck from behind the net that somehow ended up behind Vasilevskiy. Montreal will not apologize for the ugly win. The team is headed to the second round for the first time since 2021, and Dobes has established himself as a goaltender who can steal games. His journey from winning the starter’s job in January to outdueling Vasilevskiy in a Game 7 has been remarkable. The next chapter begins against Buffalo.

The bottom line

• Jakub Dobes made 28 saves in Game 7, leading Montreal to a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay.
• Dobes posted a 2.03 GAA and.923 save percentage in the series, outperforming Andrei Vasilevskiy (2.18 GAA,.897 SV%).
• Dobes revealed he told Nikita Kucherov, 'I know you guys are nervous,' during a second-period exchange.
• Montreal will face the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Second Round; the series is a pick ’em at -110.
• Henrik Lundqvist ranked Dobes seventh among Eastern Conference starting goaltenders in the playoffs.
• Dobes had a 29-10-4 record in 43 regular-season appearances before his playoff breakout.