GDT GAME #47 Tampa Bay Lightning @ Montreal Canadiens - 7PM - Tues, January 21, 2025

[Butterface]

The Canadiens are at a crossroads, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a crushing loss to Toronto that threatened to derail their playoff hopes, the team found a spark—a massive character win over the Rangers the very next day. Now, with the final playoff spots within reach, Montreal faces off against a powerhouse Lightning team.

 

Momentum is building in all the right places. The core is firing on all cylinders, with the team’s key players showing real growth and resilience. Confidence is growing, and the chemistry is undeniable. This is more than just a game—it’s a test of everything they’ve fought for.

 

With every shift, the Canadiens are proving they belong in the hunt. Tuesday is a critical tilt—an opportunity to seize a moment that could define their push for the playoffs.

 

[Butterface]

The lonely end of the rink is set for a fierce showdown, where experience and raw potential collide. Every save carries the weight of a playoff berth as no less than eight teams compete for the final two wildcard spots.

 

Samuel Montembeault, the steady veteran with a 4-3 record, .880 save percentage, and 3.27 GAA since Dobes arrived on December 27th, has been reliable, but is that enough?

 

Jakub Dobes, a rookie sensation in the making, boasts a 5-0 record, .940 save percentage, and 1.55 GAA. Dobes has been nothing short of brilliant—calm, poised, and more than ready for the pressure. He’s quickly earned the attention of fans who now wonder: Is he ready for more?

 

Montembeault remains the safe bet, but if Dobes continues to perform, the question becomes impossible to ignore. If Dobes falters, Montembeault could easily reclaim the crease, but what if Dobes thrives? What if he proves he’s the one to lead? Could the rookie steal the crease? Only time will tell who will lead the Canadiens into the playoffs—and who will be left to watch from the bench.

 

As the Canadiens near the final games of the season, the question isn’t just about who’s playing better—it’s about who can carry the weight of what’s to come. Montembeault has the experience, but Dobes has the spark.

 

Only one can lead Montreal into the playoffs, and the battle for the crease is far from over.

 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Good job with the thread. I like the shout-out to The Tragically Hip too. 👍

 

At this stage, it's premature to anoint Dobes the starter, so I answered the poll question on Monty's side. I think people are making too much out of one dud performance in Toronto.

[Butterface]

26 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

I like the shout-out to The Tragically Hip too.

thanks…. you caught that…

 

BUT !! the pièce de résistance is Carey Price standing across from an astronaut - a symbol of both the past’s legacy and the vast unknown of the future….. 

 

The astronaut, a symbol of space - vast, mysterious, and unexplored - perfectly mirrors the uncertainty surrounding the future of our goaltending. From the strength of the past, what lies ahead ? The future of the crease remains a mystery, just waiting to be discovered.

[xXx..CK..xXx]

Part of the reason that Dobeš has had success is because the Habs have been easing him in and sheltering him to a certain extent. He has faced tough opponents, that’s for sure, but after he has pulled off the big win, he has been allowed to bask a little bit and remain confident for days until his next match. I’m already a big fan of Dobeš but throwing him to the wolves will allow teams more scouting opportunity and somewhat dull the excitement Dobeš has each and every game he plays, all the while still having something to prove in his mind. I would keep playing him the exact same way we have been, until there is an injury or our starter falters for many games in a row. 

[Commandant]

2 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Good job with the thread. I like the shout-out to The Tragically Hip too. 👍

 

At this stage, it's premature to anoint Dobes the starter, so I answered the poll question on Monty's side. I think people are making too much out of one dud performance in Toronto.

 

Yes and as good as Dobes was in OT, he gave up 4 in regulation 

[Butterface]

Meh…. Two goals you can’t fault him on (bad bounce, terrible giveaway)…. A PPG and a quick cross with Kreider standing alone in front.

 

Montembeault lost to Dallas at home. Dobes won 5 days later in Dallas.

 

Over the same time frame 5-0 vs 4-3 record, .940 vs .880 save % and 1.55 vs 3.27 GAA.

 

Arguably Dobes faced the tougher competition during this span.

 

In the immortal words of Jerry Doucette, “Mama let him play”.

 

[Commandant]

I dont think you make a rookie the starter over a 5 game sample size.  The stats may be great but the sample size is nothing

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Montembault has had more games where he stands on his head than games where he stunk - by far. 
 

Dobes has played well but he wasn’t exactly great last night, even if two goals were not his fault. Dobes looked human and shaky at times. 
 

I like the current rotation and I think it’s a good approach. If Dobes plays great all season then perhaps we look at a 1a 1b type goalie rotation. 
 

IMO

[hab29RETIRED]

55 minutes ago, Commandant said:

I dont think you make a rookie the starter over a 5 game sample size.  The stats may be great but the sample size is nothing

The habs did start Dryden after 6 games. Myre and Vachon sat on the bench and didn’t see any playoff minutes.

[Commandant]

16 minutes ago, hab29RETIRED said:

The habs did start Dryden after 6 games. Myre and Vachon sat on the bench and didn’t see any playoff minutes.

 

Dobes isnt Ken Dryden.  Lets not be crazy

[Butterface]

47 minutes ago, Commandant said:

I dont think you make a rookie the starter over a 5 game sample size.  The stats may be great but the sample size is nothing

Roy, Dryden, Ward, Mason, Lehtonen, Miller… these are just a few of the goalies who have seized the starting role early in their NHL careers.

 

Monty is solid, for sure. Respectfully though, I don’t think he has as high a ceiling as Dobes and Fowler.

 

He is a great option if Dobes falters and while Fowler toils in the AHL.

 

Monty has proven he can step up and carry the load when needed. His experience, calmness under pressure, and ability to make big saves in crucial moments make him a reliable safety net. But it’s not like Monty has had such good numbers he is irreplaceable. We are still looking for a premier #1.

 

No Dobes isn’t Dryden. But Monty definitely isn’t Dryden.

 

The conversation is shifting… Dobes has shone. 

 

[tomh009]

Nobody's questioning Dobes's ceiling. That doesn't, however, mean that we need to immediately anoint him as the #1.

[Butterface]

I am not saying Dobes won’t throw out a stinker either.

 

He will.

 

But over the next 5-10 games I think we need to re-assess who gives us a better chance at the 2 points.

[GHT120]

15 minutes ago, Commandant said:

Dobes isnt Ken Dryden.  Lets not be crazy

Neither was Ken Dryden when he opened the playoff series ... McNeil et al just had no confidence Vachon or Myre could beat the legitimately Big Bad 1970/71 Bruins.

 

The question is also being asked "Based solely on what you know so far and making no inferences about future play".

[Butterface]

7 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

Neither was Ken Dryden when he opened the playoff series ... McNeil et al just had no confidence Vachon or Myre could beat the legitimately Big Bad 1970/71 Bruins.

 

The question is also being asked "Based solely on what you know so far and making no inferences about future play".

 

🤣🤣🤣 that was for the poll. This is for funzies. 

[Commandant]

I think dobes should keep playing 1/3 games or so that hes been playing before we compare him to HOF goalies.

[Butterface]

We’re finding ourselves in a sweet spot.

 

Our young talent is seamlessly blending with the experience of our veterans. There’s a perfect balance between promising ELCs and established players on expiring or manageable contracts. Some of our rising stars are still on bridge deals, allowing us flexibility for the future.

 

As we prepare for more young talent to step up, replacing UFAs and transitioning bridge deals to higher values, we may not find this sweet spot for a few more years. But when it does hit, it will be there for a decent stretch of time. The pieces are falling into place.

 

I hope we can sustain this moment for as long as possible this year.

[Butterface]

3 minutes ago, Commandant said:

I think dobes should keep playing 1/3 games or so that hes been playing before we compare him to HOF goalies.

Not comparing Dobes to anyone but Monty at the moment.

[Butterface]

Alas, no one agrees… the poll is 8-1 in favour of Monty..

 

The early Dobes numbers have not swayed but one.

 

Dobes is getting a vote of non-confidence. A decisive lack of faith.

 

Poor Dobey. 

[alfredoh2009]

1 hour ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

[...]

Dobes has played well but he wasn’t exactly great last night, even if two goals were not his fault. Dobes looked human and shaky at times. 

[...]

Doves' dad was in the stands, watching him for the first time. He said that before the game. Maybe that is why he was human/shaky to start the game. But he finished strong and made the win possible

[Butterface]

Wait !

 

8-4

 

Dobes is making a comeback ! Like Kim Kardashian !

 

[GHT120]

28 minutes ago, Commandant said:

I think dobes should keep playing 1/3 games or so that hes been playing before we compare him to HOF goalies.

At the MOMENT I'd go 50/50

[Butterface]

2 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

At the MOMENT I'd go 50/50

 

[tomh009]

26 minutes ago, Butterface said:

Dobes is getting a vote of non-confidence. A decisive lack of faith.

He's getting no more of a non-confidence vote than Demidov, Beck or Kapanen. It's not a non-confidence, it's just that it's not time yet.

 

Anyway, regardless of our poll results, we don't know yet what Martin St-Louis's vote is. Since that is the one that counts. And he probably knows more about this than all of us put together. Maybe. 😊