Habs Highlights: Dream NHL Start For Dobes, Dach Finds Rhythm

The Montreal Canadiens were in Florida on Saturday afternoon, facing the Panthers in their first game back from Christmas break.

It was Jakub Dobes’ first career NHL game, and it must be said, he looked quite good. The game also featured Kirby Dach’s best effort of the season.

There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s dive into the highlights of Montreal’s 4-0 shutout win versus the Panthers.

Dobes Time

It’s always exciting when a player makes his NHL debut, but seeing as it was against the defending Stanley Cup champions, it was certainly a baptism by fire for Dobes. The 23-year-old netminder played quite well, especially after he worked through the usual pre-game jitters from someone about to make their first start in the NHL. He made 33 saves in the shutout effort.

There are no particular saves that stood out, and that’s actually a great sign. You don’t want to see Dobes making desperation saves, because that means he’s not playing to his strengths, which include his big frame, anticipation, and positioning.

We also have to give some credit to the whole team for the defensive effort. The Habs limited the Panthers to just four high-danger shots at 5v5 in the first 55 minutes of the game.

Dach Attack

Kirby Dach is not a rookie, and we all know goaltenders take longer to develop than skaters, but it’s worth pointing out that he’s just 23 years old, the same age as Dobes.

He started the game by scoring his third goal of the year, assisted by Alex Newhook and Kaiden Guhle. And while it was great to see him get off the schneid, the manner in which the Canadiens scored was even more encouraging. The play featured some crisp and quick passing, not to mention a solid shift by Patrik Laine, who drove the zone to generate sustained pressure in the first place.

✨ rondelle en mouvement ✨

✨ puck movement ✨#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/EWwrGdS3vO

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 28, 2024

Dach’s second goal of the game came after a nice individual effort that left Spencer Knight with no chance to make the breakaway save. Newhook’s breakout pass was also a key part of the play, giving us plenty of evidence to suggest making quick and accurate passes is the best way to generate a healthy amount of offence off the rush.

on va avoir besoin d’un DACHTEUR après ça

we might need a DACHTOR after this#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/5W5aLpuKla

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 28, 2024

Classic Jake Evans

I do apologize for the brevity of this particular recap, I’m hanging out with my godson in Ontario, and the farm doesn’t have fantastic internet, nor should it.

I’ll take Jake Evans’ lead by seizing my opportunity to make every shift (paragraph) count.

My theory is that Evans only scores the most dramatic goals, and while I’d need a better internet connection to give you a handful of examples, it’s hard to think of one of his goals this season not qualifying as dramatic.

He scored his fourth game in as many games, a great shorthanded effort that ensured the Habs entered the second intermission with a three-goal lead.

il a échappé ça en chemin 🫴👑

Ouuuh, Evans is a place on earth 🎶#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/CmWucH0wdq

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 28, 2024

Top Line Impact

The first line sealed the deal by giving the Canadiens a 4-0 lead late in the third period. Cole Caufield scored his 18th goal of the season, and it came off a very nice assist by Juraj Slafkovsky, who is predictably playing well now that he’s been returned to the top trio.

Head coach Martin St-Louis has limited options, which is why I didn’t bemoan his attempt to add a little more depth throughout the entire forward lineup, but at this point it’s clear the top line works best with Slafkovsky, and vice versa.

Cole Caufield’s goal tonight (4-0) pic.twitter.com/6H6DRgT9LV

— HFTV (@HFTVSports) December 28, 2024

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Sunday. They will face the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the puck drop scheduled for 5 pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.