The Montreal Canadiens faced the Buffalo Sabres in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, suffering a 4-2 defeat despite outshooting their opponents 28-16. The Sabres quickly established a multi-goal lead, prompting a defensive strategy that impacted the shot count. Goaltender Jakub Dobes struggled in this matchup, allowing four goals on just 16 shots. An early goal by Jordan Greenway particularly highlighted his off night, as it glanced in off his glove.
Jakub Dobes, a 24-year-old goalie, is experiencing the most demanding stretch of his career. He’s made eight starts in the last 17 days—far exceeding his regular-season workload, in which he alternated with Sam Montembeault and Jacob Fowler. The tight schedule raises the question of whether the Canadiens should rest Dobes for optimal performance as the playoffs progress.
Should Canadiens Rest Jakub Dobes?
Resting a starting goaltender during the playoffs is unusual. Nonetheless, it might be necessary for the Canadiens to consider giving Dobes a break to regain peak form. During a discussion on the Thursday episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and Colby Cohen explored the merits of this strategy.
Current Workload Analysis
- Jakub Dobes’ starts during the regular season were as follows:
- October: 6 starts
- November: 6 starts
- December: 7 starts
- January: 6 starts
- February: 2 starts (due to Olympic break)
- March: 8 starts
- April: 5 starts
- He has now started eight times in just over two weeks, matching his monthly high.
With the potential for a long series against the Sabres, this pace could lead to 14 starts in about 30 days. Yaremchuk suggested resting Dobes for Game 2 to allow him a brief reset, while maintaining confidence in goalie Jacob Fowler to step in temporarily.
Balancing Risk and Performance
Colby Cohen voiced hesitation about resting Dobes, noting that the playoffs demand consistency. He referenced other teams’ experiences with similar situations, pointing out the risk of losing momentum and confidence if a goaltender falters. Cohen emphasized Dobes’ strong overall performance in the playoffs and argued for his continued presence in the net, highlighting that the entire team struggled in Game 1.
The Canadiens must carefully consider their goaltending strategy as they aim for optimal performance in this high-stakes playoff series. With Dobes’ current workload and the demands of the playoffs, resting him could be a strategic move to ensure he remains effective in critical games ahead.
