Keeping Jakub Dobes In Game 5 After Shaky Start Validated In Canadiens Victory Vs. Sabres

BUFFALO - The Montreal Canadiens opened with significant firepower in the early stages of their Game 5 matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.

However, on their own end of the ice, starting goaltender Jakub Dobes struggled to find his rhythm.

Both teams exchanged goals twice in the first 7:54 of play before the Canadiens' Dobes surrendered a soft wrist shot to Sabres forward Konsta Helenius, putting Buffalo ahead 3-2.

It was perhaps the weakest goal Dobes has allowed throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs - his third goal conceded on just four shots.

Canadiens' Jakub Dobes Is More Than A 'Goofy Goalie Who Tries To Stop Pucks'

Jakub Dobes has stood out among Montreal Canadiens fans as a hero for how he's taken over the crease and stood tall in the playoffs. But Dobes said he doesn't call himself a hero.

The 24-year-old Dobes, who finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting this season, is still honing his craft in the NHL. Despite his status as the starter, he treated Game 5 as a vital learning experience.

"I just feel like the one lesson I learned from today is I've got to have better body language for the boys," he said. "Don't let them know that maybe I'm not feeling at my best. I feel like we talked a little bit during the intermission. We met up in the locker room and reset it."

Dobes finished the contest with 33 saves on 36 shots, leaving the Sabres looking listless while his teammates never wavered in their attack on the Buffalo net.

"I just think he's super confident in himself," Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. "He puts in the work off the ice to have his mental training where it needs to be. He wants to be in the fight with the guys. He's got the perfect attitude for a goalie, for sure."

While goaltending was a lingering question mark for this talented Canadiens roster entering the season, Dobes has provided the backbone Montreal needs. They are now just one win away from an Eastern Conference final matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes.

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 3:00 AM.