Just over 24 hours remain until Game 4 between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals, and it appears neither goaltender who started the series will likely be in their respective nets at the Bell Centre.
Both head coaches stated on Saturday that they were still awaiting updates on the status of their starting goalies after both were forced to leave Friday`s Game 3 with apparent injuries. Despite the uncertainty, both expressed confidence in the players expected to fill in for Game 4.
For the Canadiens, Jakub Dobes is set to replace Samuel Montembeault. The team doesn`t seem concerned at all, even though this will only be his 17th game at the NHL level.
It might help that Dobes played almost half of Game 3, stopping seven out of eight shots from the Capitals, with the lone goal being an unscreened, high-quality shot from Alex Ovechkin that he had little chance on.
They certainly believe it helps that the 23-year-old began his NHL career earlier this season by winning five consecutive games against formidable teams like the Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, and the very same Capitals.
“I think his first game, he gets thrown in against the defending Stanley Cup champs, gets a shutout,” said Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle. “I think his first three or four games, I think they were all some of the top teams in the league, and he played well. So, I have all the confidence in the world in Dobes.”
“He`s got a lot of confidence in himself, which you need as a young goalie coming into the league. I think he believes that there`s no moment too big for him. I think he wants this moment. I think he`s ready for anything that`s thrown at him.”
The Ostrava, Czechia native faced an unexpected challenge when Montembeault approached the bench early in the second period of Game 3 and seemed to signal for him to start warming up.
Moments later, Dobes was thrust into the most electrifying atmosphere he had ever experienced. After emerging victorious, he said no one could truly understand what he was feeling.
“I was afraid, for sure, but I was excited,” Dobes admitted. “Also, I was emotional. I was crying at the end, so it`s like I was a mess.”
Despite the intensity of the moment and his emotional reaction, the six-foot-four goaltender didn`t appear overwhelmed during the game and certainly doesn`t seem rattled by the challenge likely awaiting him in Game 4.
“I know my routine. I know I`m a good goalie. I love these moments more than anything,” Dobes stated. “I guess I was prepared, and I will prepare again, and we`ll see what happens on Sunday.”
On the opposite side, former Canadien Charlie Lindgren is the likely starter after Washington`s Logan Thompson limped out of Game 3 in the 54th minute, unable to put significant weight on his left leg. This occurred after teammate Dylan Strome collided with him while attempting – and ultimately failing – to prevent Juraj Slafkovsky`s crucial go-ahead goal.
Tristan Blackwood