Jakub Dobes stakes claim as Canadiens' No. 1 goalie in win over Hurricanes

Montreal Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky (20) looks on as Cole Caufield (13) jokes around as they congratulate goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) on his win over the Carolina Hurricanes following third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Cole Caufield used the words “confidence” and “swagger” to describe what he likes to see in a starting goalie.

Jakub Dobes showed both Tuesday night.

Dobes made a career-high 41 saves as the Montreal Canadiens rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2, despite being outshot 43-19.

“He’s been doing it all year. He competes, he battles. He just always gives us a chance. He keeps us in games,” Caufield said. “A breakaway save at the end there, it’s cool to see the crowd get behind a guy like that.”

Dobes — with his athleticism and unorthodox style — has posted a .896 save percentage and a 2.88 goals-against average in a roller-coaster campaign.

In his last six starts, however, the six-foot-four, 215-pound rookie has a .926 save percentage and a 2.17 GAA.

He’s also found ways to win even when his numbers dip, registering a 23-8-4 record.

As the playoffs approach, Dobes is staking his claim as Montreal’s No. 1 in a season marked by inconsistent goaltending for the franchise.

And he’s had to earn it — first with Sam Montembeault rightfully opening the season as the clear starter, then with goalie-of-the-future Jacob Fowler recalled twice from the American Hockey League as the Canadiens searched for answers in net.

“For Dobes, he’s just been trying to get that chair,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “I think that’s an everyday thing. Once you stop worrying about that, that’s usually when somebody steals your chair.

“He’s progressed tremendously and he’s learning how to be a pro in this league.”

The Hurricanes jumped out to a two-goal lead Tuesday, but the Canadiens only trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes thanks to Dobes, who stopped 14 shots in the first period, including a breakaway from Taylor Hall.

Montreal led 4-2 after Ivan Demidov scored on a silky deke in the third period, but the Canadiens were on their heels when Dobes denied Logan Stankoven on another breakaway with under five minutes remaining.

The 24-year-old from Czechia then held the fort as Carolina peppered his net with the extra attacker for the final four minutes, drawing “Do-by! Do-by!” chants from the Bell Centre crowd.

“They pulled their goalie with what, four minutes left? That’s a long time with no goalie, and a team that shoots it from everywhere,” St. Louis said. “I thought we managed the best we could, and at the end of the day your best player in those situations is going to be your goalie.

“And he was that tonight.”

At one point, it even looked like Dobes might try to score into the empty net from his own blue paint. Instead, he wisely froze the puck as Hurricanes players closed in.

“He was unreal, but he tried — I don’t know if he actually tried it — to score,” Ivan Demidov said. “It was a bit scary, and funny.”

“We were yelling from the bench, shoot it!” added Juraj Slafkovsky. “I’ll pass it to him (next time) so he can go for it.”

Whether or not Dobes actually considered an attempt was not clear. Despite the standout performance, the candid and at times unfiltered netminder was not available to reporters, per a team decision.

Known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, Dobes cried in front of cameras following his first loss, a 4-3 overtime defeat to the New Jersey Devils, after opening the season with six straight wins.

Back in January, during a three-goalie rotation with Montembeault and Fowler, Dobes sat out a season-high five straight games. He returned with a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks and raised eyebrows when he said post-game he “wouldn’t understand” a demotion to the AHL given his winning results.

The only interview he gave on Tuesday was on the ice after earning a well-deserved first star.

“Ça va?” he told the crowd with a large smile. “Felt pretty good, you guys gave us such momentum when we scored the second and third goal. And after we were just buzzing for you guys. Thank you.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2026.