Is Jakub Dobeš the Canadiens next Franchise Goalie?

Imagine sitting at home on the couch and you get the call up from the Montreal Canadiens wanting you to start against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers. That is exactly what happened to rising goaltender Jakub Dobeš three weeks ago.

On December 28th, 2024, Dobeš made his NHL debut against a very tough opponent, the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers. A very tough task for your NHL debut away at Amerant Bank Arena. 

Dobeš stopped 34 of 34 shots faced, collecting a shutout in his NHL debut, becoming the fourth goalie in Canadiens history to do so. His next game followed a week later, facing the 2022 Stanley Cup Champions at Ball Arena, the Colorado Avalanche, on Saturday Hockey Night in Canada. 

After a back and forth battle with reigning league MVP Nathan Mackinnon, Dobeš managed to shut the door in the shootout against the Avalanche, winning his second game in a row.

Beating the Panthers and Avalanche in your first two games is impressive. Did things get any easier for the hottest goalie in the league? No. His next opponent, first place in the Eastern Conference with a guy chasing Wayne Gretzkey’s goal record, the Washington Capitals.

A close game saw the Canadiens go into their third overtime in a row, where the Captian Nick Suzuki buried the overtime winner as Dobeš collected his third win in a row.

Six days later, Dobeš next task saw him face the Dallas Stars, another Stanley Cup. In one of Dobeš  best games, he stopped 33 of 34 shots, winning yet another game.

Finally, the most recent and most likely game of the season mixed with high animosity and emotion as the Canadiens faced the New York Rangers. This would be Dobeš first start in front of a home crowd at the Bell Centre. 

This game between two teams in the wild card race was a tense game in and out as goals were scored back and forth, leading to a 4-4 tie heading into overtime.

Dobeš made two incredible saves in overtime to rob Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck, leading to an overtime winner from Patrik Laine, giving Dobeš his fifth win in a row.

With his 5-4 overtime win versus the New York Rangers, Dobeš became the eighth goalie in NHL history to win his first 5 games within a single season. As of right now, many Habs fans are calling for Dobeš to take on the starting roll as he is riding the hot hand in the Habs chase for a playoff spot.

As Dobeš 5-0-0 start being very impressive and ultimately unpredictable, have the Montreal Canadiens struck gold in finding their next franchise goalie? Carey Price was the guy for the longest time, and with the immaculate start by the young Czech, there is no question that Dobeš has a great opportunity in his hands.