Jean-Charles Lajoie, controversial host of TVA Sports, is at the heart of a media storm after Jakub Dobes, the Czech prodigy of the Montreal Canadiens, won his fourth consecutive victory in the NHL.
With a goals against average of 0.98 and an efficiency percentage of 963, Dobes is rewriting the history books, but above all making his detractors lie, of which Lajoie has become the most glaring symbol.
The rookie goaltender dazzled again Thursday night by literally stealing the game against the Dallas Stars.
His 32 saves, several of which were spectacular, allowed the Canadian to win 3-1 in a hard-fought match.
This success continues an impressive streak for Montreal, with a record of 11-2-1 in its last 14 meetings.
However, despite this meteoric rise, Lajoie did not hesitate to criticize Dobes from his debut in the big league. On TVA Sports, he notably declared:
“Dobes needs to improve his technique and control. For the moment, he is, to be polite, a little crooked. »
Lajoie had also pointed out potential flaws in Dobes’ game, as shown by these scathing comments:
“Already last Friday, the two goals allowed by Dobes were on low shots from the glove side. The Capitals, like CH’s next opponents, now have video commands aimed at showing their players how to shoot to beat them. »
The spectators, fervent supporters of the Habs, were quick to react. On social networks, Lajoie was targeted by an avalanche of mocking comments and scathing criticism.
Internet users were merciless:
“Jean-Charles Lajoie who criticizes Dobes? It’s the irony of the year. »
“Is Dobes all crooked? So explain to me how a crooked guy is the most athletic goalie in the league? »
“Lajoie wanted clicks, he hit a wall. Dobes will offer him free positioning lessons. »
Lajoie, accustomed to controversies, this time seems overwhelmed by the extent of the criticism.
His strategy of going against the grain to spark debate backfired spectacularly.
The young goalkeeper, from Ohio State University, has quickly become a pillar for a Canadian team that is simply on fire.
His Olympian calm and his ability to raise his game in crucial moments make him an invaluable asset.
As Martin St-Louis pointed out after the game against Dallas:
“Dobes is a gamer. He has the elements to face these big challenges. It’s not the first time he’s done it, and he always responds. »
Even when the team is under pressure, Dobes maintains his composure, as evidenced by making multiple key saves against elite players like Jason Robertson and Evgenii Dadonov.
By attacking Dobes, Lajoie attempted to ride a wave of sensationalism that ultimately failed to resonate with supporters.
While the Czech goalkeeper accumulates praise, Lajoie finds himself isolated in his opinions, criticized for his lack of vision and analysis.
His statements about Dobes enraged all of Quebec.
“We have to feel and see his progress with each of his starts. This is essential in the Canadian equation. »
These words today seem totally disconnected from the reality of a goalkeeper who is already shining at the highest level.
This controversy surrounding Lajoie comes at a time when TVA Sports is struggling to attract crowds. With stagnant or even declining ratings, even when the Canadian performs, the broadcaster seems incapable of captivating its audience.
Meanwhile, Dobes embodies everything fans love: overachieving, raw talent and hope for a better future.
And there were a lot of people on the RDS airwaves this evening…to see Dobes perform miracles again. Sign of karma?
Dobes’ performance against Dallas isn’t just a victory for the Canadian. It’s also a scathing reminder that judging a player on a limited sample can lead to monumental errors of judgment.
-Lajoie, in his quest for clicks and controversy, underestimated the Czech prodigy’s potential and exposed himself to an unprecedented wave of criticism.
Dobes continues to prove that he belongs to the elite.
And for Lajoie, the lesson is clear: sometimes it is better to wait before jumping to conclusions.
For the Montreal public, one thing is certain: the future looks bright with Jakub Dobes between the posts.
For TVA Sports and Jean-Charles Lajoie, let’s say that the sky is cloudier.
It is difficult not to notice a recurring pattern in Jean-Charles Lajoie’s interventions.
When he is not attacking the prodigy goalkeeper of the moment, he is attacking other fan favorites in a completely gratuitous way.
Let us remember his shattering prediction regarding Martin St-Louis, when he announced his “resignation” after a series of disastrous defeats.
Lajoie, true to his style, declared in an alarmist tone that the head coach was not up to the task and that he had to leave his position for the good of the team.
And yet, today, the CH shines under the orders of St-Louis.
The locker room is united, the young players are progressing, and the team is showing a resilience that few people would have anticipated.
Far from collapsing, St-Louis has established himself as one of the best strategists in the NHL this season, reducing Lajoie’s criticisms to simple ill-advised rants.
But Lajoie, true to himself, found a new target.
Jakub Dobes, praised by supporters and the media for his calm and exceptional talent, now seems to bear the weight of the columnist’s frustrations.
His statements, where he describes the goaltender as “all crooked” or questions his ability to adapt to the NHL, have sparked an outcry.
To many, Lajoie seems to be going after Dobes simply because he embodies everything fans love.
After all, who other than a young, athletic, humble and successful goalkeeper to become a new hero in Montreal?
Lajoie’s approach, which consists of systematically going against the grain, is starting to plague Quebec.
While the Montreal public celebrated the successes of the CH and its young players, Lajoie persisted in adopting a negative and provocative discourse.
What could once have been considered a direct and refreshing style is now seen as gratuitous relentlessness, even a desperate attempt to attract attention.
This strategy risks costing him dearly, especially since the performances of Dobes and the team leave no room for criticism.
By attacking Martin St-Louis and then Jakub Dobes, Lajoie alienated a large part of the Canadian’s fan base.
The supporters, who have long tolerated his outbursts, are beginning to have enough of his hasty judgments and catastrophic predictions.
For many, Lajoie represents nothing more than an outdated character, incapable of adapting to the current reality of Montreal hockey.
While the CH continues to surprise and Jakub Dobes establishes himself as a future star of the NHL, Jean-Charles Lajoie would do well to review his approach.
Because if there is one thing that Montreal never forgets, it is the attachment to its heroes. And today, Jakub Dobes is becoming one of them.
Lajoie, for his part, risks remaining in the shadow of his bad bets, condemned to observe from the sidelines the rise of a team that he has so often underestimated.
By going against the flow, we end up getting lost.
