Martin St-Louis sends a clear message with Jakub Dobes start vs. Columbus
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Jakub Dobes is set to get the call from Martin St-Louis tonight as the Canadiens face a red-hot Columbus team in a high-stakes matchup.
The coach hasn't confirmed his starter yet. That's become routine, with decisions now coming closer to puck drop.
But the hint is clear.
Jakub Dobes is expected to be in the crease, and it lines up with everything we've seen lately.
There's no real debate here.
Dobes earned this start on Tuesday with a sharp outing, stopping 41 of 43 shots and keeping his team in control.
Against a team like Columbus, that kind of composure matters.
Dobes gets the net in a pressure spot
This isn't just another start in the rotation. It's a trust decision from the coaching staff.
Dobes has been trending upward at the right time, and St-Louis is leaning into the hot hand.
That says a lot about where things stand in the Canadiens crease right now.
And the timing couldn't be bigger.
The standings are tight. Every point carries weight, especially with the playoff race still wide open.
Even against a team from another division, these games shape the Eastern Conference picture.
A win tonight could push Montreal into a stronger position among the Atlantic Division's top three.
That's not a small swing this late in the season.
But the challenge is real.
Columbus comes in with a 20-3-4 run since Rick Bowness took over behind the bench.
That's a team playing with structure and confidence.
Which means the Canadiens can't afford another slow start.
They've chased games recently, giving up early goals and trying to claw back late.
That won't hold up against a team rolling like this.
So the focus is clear.
Start fast. Stay structured. And let Dobes set the tone from the crease.
If he delivers again, this decision won't just be about one game. It could lock in the hierarchy in net heading into the final stretch.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 26|75 ANSWERS Martin St-Louis sends a clear message with Jakub Dobes start vs. Columbus Should Jakub Dobes remain the Canadiens starter for the rest of the season? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 88 % |
| No | 9 | 12 % |
| List of polls | ||