Montreal Canadiens legend Carey Price watched in awe as Jakub Dobes delivered a stellar performance in his NHL debut, recording a 34-save shutout in a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers, the defending Stanley Cup champions. Price, who saved 28 of 30 shots during his own debut in 2007, was quick to praise Dobes’ achievement on social media.
“Congrats Jakub. Makes me happy to see a moment like that,” Price tweeted on December 29, 2024.
Although the Canadiens emerged victorious, Dobes had to work hard, particularly in the third period when the Panthers gained momentum. Kirby Dach had his best performance of the season, scoring twice, while Jake Evans contributed a dramatic goal. Juraj Slafkovsky also impressed while playing on the first line, continuing his strong play.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens made a notable move by placing goaltender Cayden Primeau on waivers. Should he clear, Primeau is expected to see more action with the Laval Rocket, providing solid backup as the team deals with Dobes’ call-up. Though there’s a chance another team may claim Primeau, it’s unlikely given the crowded goaltending market.
On the powerplay, Patrik Laine has continued to shine, though his even-strength performance had been lacking. Recent games have shown improvements in his 5v5 play, aided by strong chemistry with teammates Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.
Additionally, the acquisition of Alex Carrier has had a positive impact, particularly among the Canadiens’ top-four defensemen. The team’s overall play has seen improvement, reinforcing the benefits of the trade.
The Canadiens’ future looks promising with these developments, especially as young players like Dobes and Slafkovsky continue to make their mark.