SUNRISE, Floride – Jakub Dobes posted a 34-save shutout in his NHL debut in the Montreal Canadiens’ 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon at Amerant Bank Arena.
Dobes, who was recalled Friday from Laval, the Canadiens’ farm club in the American Hockey League, became the fourth goaltender in Habs history to sign a shutout in his first game in the circuit, the first since Yann Danis, October 12, 2005.
“Hockey is an unpredictable sport,” said the 23-year-old. You never know what might happen; you just have to show up to work, work hard, and this is what can happen. I’m really happy with the result. »
Kirby Dach scored twice for Montreal (15-17-3), which has won four of its last five meetings. Jake Evans and Cole Caufield also scored, while Alex Newhook recorded two assists.
“A match like this is wonderful, it injects a dose of confidence into the locker room and into the group,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis. But we have to turn the page. You have to enjoy it, yes, but also move on. I want to see the maturity of my players tomorrow when the game starts (against the Tampa Bay Lightning). »
Spencer Knight stopped 21 pucks for Florida (22-13-2), which was shut out for the second time in a row (4-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday). The team had won its last nine home games against Montreal.
“I don’t think we showed the level of play needed to give us a chance to win,” said Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. We kept the score tied for the first part of the game, then we made some mistakes, some big ones, and we weren’t in control. They played well, with intensity. We didn’t play our style. »
Dach scored his first of the game at 1:39 of the second period when he missed a cross-ice pass reception from Newhook. The puck hit his left skate before ending up behind Knight.
Montreal made it 2-0 at 13:51 of the second period. Dach, on a breakaway, deceived Knight’s vigilance by lifting a backhand shot over his shoulder.
“We’re playing good hockey against good teams these days,” Dach said. We want to continue in this direction. We have several big games coming up against clubs in position to play in the playoffs. We want to prove to them that we can play at this level too. »
Evans got his third shorthanded goal of the season at 17:19 to triple the Canadiens’ lead by intercepting a pass in the neutral zone before taking a wrist shot from the left circle.
Caufield gave his team a 4-0 lead at 14:17 of the third period. Juraj Slafkovsky spotted Caufield in the slot after grabbing a loose disc in the neutral zone.
“All I know is the guys in front of me were fantastic,” Dobes said. I saw all the pucks, and that gave me a lot of confidence. »
The Canadians’ last win at Sunrise dates back to December 28, 2018.
“We are aware that we are facing a team of high caliber,” said St-Louis. But it’s not just the victory that matters, but also the way in which it was achieved. I thought we played intelligently and methodically. »
The Panthers are 4-4-0 in their last eight meetings; their four defeats were recorded by shutout. They will play their next duel against the New York Rangers on Monday.
“I don’t think we’re going to dwell on this game for long, we’re just going to move on,” said Panthers forward Sam Bennett. Mistakes happen. What matters is helping each other and doing what it takes to make things right. We’re just going to put this match aside. »
