Jakub Dobes turned things around in a major way for the Habs in Game 7.
The Montreal Canadiens have made it to the Eastern Conference Final after defeating the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7. Alex Newhook scored the overtime winner for the Habs, and they will be facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes because of it.
Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes is a major reason for the Original Six club advancing to the Eastern Conference Final. This is because the 24-year-old goaltender had an excellent Game 7 for Montreal.
Dobes stepped up in a major way against Buffalo in Game 7, as he stopped 37 out of 39 Sabres shots he faced. The Sabres may have generated more chances than the Canadiens in Game 7, but Dobes shut the door for Montreal.
Dobes putting together a great Game 7 like this came after he struggled in Game 6. The 2020 fifth-round pick allowed six goals on 33 shots against the Sabres in Game 6 before being pulled. With this, the Canadiens needed a bounce-back game from Dobes, and he provided them with just that.
Dobes ability to bounce back after a loss has been a constant theme this post-season, and he is becoming a clutch goaltender because of it. In 14 games now this post-season, he has an 8-6 record, a 2.52 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage.
Dobes will now be looking to keep this kind of play up against a very good Hurricanes team. While the undefeated Hurricanes will be a tough challenge for the Canadiens, the Habs have already beaten two very good teams in the Tampa Bay Lightning and Sabres this post-season.