MONTRÉAL – Jakub Dobes has very clear memories of the first games he saw in the National League when he set foot in North America, in the bucolic city of St. Louis.
At only 16, the young Czech was probably impressed by the gigantic ark – the door to the west – and the overflowing hospitality of the people of the place, but he had eyes, at the time, that For the St-Louis Blues goalkeeper: a certain Jake Allen.
“It was number one. I even remember his equipment, ”launched the Montreal Canadiens goalkeeper during a broken stick discussion with colleagues, in the team’s locker room on Saturday morning.
In the evening, Dobes will again have the opportunity to see Allen at work. But this time, the latter will be his opposite, while the Devils of New Jersey will be the visitors. Another element to check for the 23 -year -old young man on his first list in the big league.
“It is a good thing that he did not adopt my style,” replied Allen, laughing when informed of the situation in the opposing locker room.
Dobes may not have the same style as his first hero, but it works pretty well. He will be his sixth departure with CH, his second in Montreal, and he has still not suffered the defeat.
On the other hand, it will be for the 34 -year -old veteran of a first departure at the Bell Center and a first confrontation against the Habs since he was exchanged last March. With the injury to Jakob Marksrom, he will come back to the bulk of the workload for the next four to six weeks.
“Jake was excellent,” said the trainer Sheldon Keefe. It is a luxury to have two good guardian veterans. We have very confidence in him. He played a lot of games in this league, and the guys play confidence when he is in front of the net. This is what you want from your two guards. »»
In 15 games this season, Allen displays an average of 2.66 goals allocated and an efficiency rate of, 904.
-This transaction, which has brought in a third -round conditional choice, therefore seems to make the two teams happy. The position left vacant by Allen in Montreal was finally filled by Dobes, and Devils can now use their insurance policy at an important time in the season.
“It’s crazy, he was in this locker room last year, and he will begin the match tonight against us,” said striker Juraj Slafkovsky. It will be good to see it on the other side. I hope that we will be able to mark some of them, as we did in training. I think we have the recipe. »»
The good thing in all of this, from a Montreal point of view, is that Allen’s impact remained intact in the locker room. Its influence was transmitted to the young nucleus, who always benefits.
“He was highly appreciated, loved by his teammates,” said coach Martin St-Louis. He’s a professional. He left a fine example here. He showed young people how to sail through the season, how to behave as an athlete. We were lucky to have players like that. »»
RHP recalled “as a precaution”
After the day of leave which followed the defeat of 4-2 against the Red Wings of Detroit on Thursday, almost all the players of the Canadians jumped on the ice for morning training. The attackers Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher missed the call, and a decision will be made before the match in their cases.
Stronger Rafaël Harvey-Pinard was therefore recalled “as a precaution”, but it is also possible that he faces the Devils. His last NHL match dates back to April 16.
A leg fracture kept him away from the game at the start of the season, and he returned to the game with the Laval Rocket on November 20. In 24 games with the school club, he scored four goals and collected 11 points.
