The Montreal Canadiens encountered a situational challenge when goaltender Samuel Montembeault fell ill, missing the game against the St. Louis Blues. To address this emergency, the Canadiens called up goalie Kaapo Kähkönen from their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. This strategic move brought Jakub Dobeš into the net for the game.
Jakub Dobeš: Pressing into Action
Jakub Dobeš, who had already played the previous night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, stepped up again. In that matchup, Dobeš recorded 22 saves, guiding the Canadiens to a close 2-1 victory in a shootout. This marked the first occasion this season where a Canadiens’ goalie started on consecutive nights.
Kaapo Kähkönen’s Season Performance
Kaapo Kähkönen, a 29-year-old Finnish netminder, joined the Canadiens this summer on a one-year contract. During his time with the Laval Rocket, Kähkönen has exhibited solid statistics with a record of 6 wins, 2 losses, and 0 overtime losses, an average of 2.81 goals against, and a .895 save percentage.
- Kähkönen’s Recent Game: His latest appearance with Laval was not stellar, allowing three goals on seven shots against the Belleville Senators before being replaced after just 11 minutes of play.
- NHL Experience: Kähkönen has played 140 games in the National Hockey League, previously suiting up for the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche.
Following the game against the Blues, the Canadiens promptly reassigned Kähkönen back to Laval. The team continues to adapt as they navigate player health and roster management throughout the season.
