Hockey
History Repeats: Jakub Dobes Channeling Halak as Canadiens Shock Lightning in Game 7
Montreal Canadiens defeat Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 despite only 9 shots. Jakub Dobes shines as Habs advance to face Buffalo Sabres in Round 2.
A Defensive Masterclass Amidst Statistical Anomalies
The Montreal Canadiens have secured their spot in the second round of the NHL playoffs, but the manner of their victory will be studied for years to come. In a winner-take-all Game 7 at Benchmark International Arena, the Canadiens emerged with a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning despite being outshot 29-9. The statistical disparity was so severe that Montreal failed to record a single shot on goal during the second period—a franchise first in postseason history.
The Ghost of 2010 Returns
For long-time Habs fans, the performance of goaltender Jakub Dobes was reminiscent of Jaroslav Halak’s legendary 2010 run. Dobes turned aside 28 of 29 shots, weathering a storm that saw the Canadiens go over 93 minutes of actual time between recorded shots on goal. The last time an NHL team won a Game 7 while being outshot by 20 or more was when Halak led Montreal to an improbable upset of the Washington Capitals over a decade ago. While the Lightning found a breakthrough on a Dominic James power-play goal in the second, Dobes remained an impenetrable wall for the remainder of the contest.
Newhook and Suzuki Deliver Under Pressure
Despite the lack of offensive volume, Montreal’s leaders made their limited opportunities count. Captain Nick Suzuki opened the scoring in the first period with his first goal of the playoffs. The series clincher eventually came at 11:07 of the third period from Alex Newhook. In a moment of pure opportunistic luck, Newhook’s bank shot from the side of the net deflected off Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and into the mesh. The goal sent shockwaves through the Bell Centre watch party and secured a 4-3 series win for the underdog Canadiens.
Looking Ahead to Buffalo
While the Lightning face a summer of questions after their fourth consecutive first-round exit, the young Canadiens are looking toward the future. Defensive standout Kaiden Guhle provided a stabilizing presence with two assists, while the return of Noah Dobson from injury bolstered the blue line. The road ahead does not get easier, as Montreal is set to face the Buffalo Sabres in Round 2. Unlike the ‘Cinderella’ narrative of 2010, this roster faces higher expectations as they head to Buffalo for Game 1 on Wednesday.