The Sabres will need to solve Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes in the second round.
The Buffalo Sabres kick off their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. This has the potential to be an excellent series between two very talented Atlantic Division rivals.
However, it is clear that the Sabres have a big challenge in front of them heading into the series: solving Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes.
Dobes helped carry the Canadiens past the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first-round series due to his excellent play. In seven games so far this post-season, the Canadiens netminder has a 4-3 record, a 2.03 goals-against average, and a .923 save percentage. With this, Dobes undoubtedly is entering this series on a hot streak.
Dobes also ended his series against the Lightning on a strong note. This is because he had a .950 save percentage or better in each of his last three starts against the Bolts. This included him stopping 28 out of 29 Lightning shots in the Canadiens' Game 7 win.
The Sabres will now be looking to end Dobes' hot streak this series. If the Sabres can get the 24-year-old goalie off his game, it would be huge for them as they look to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.