Jakub Dobes made a sensational NHL debut, stopping all 34 shots he faced as the Montreal Canadiens blanked the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Saturday. The 23-year-old Czech goaltender delivered a stellar performance, becoming the first goalie to achieve a shutout against the reigning Stanley Cup champions in his NHL debut since 1985. This milestone moment came after a solid season in the minors, where Dobes posted a 9-3-1 record with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
Kirby Dach led Montreal’s offense with two goals, marking his first multi-goal game in nearly two years. Cole Caufield and Jake Evans also scored for the Canadiens, with Alex Newhook contributing two assists. Evans’ short-handed goal late in the second period was pivotal, effectively sealing the victory for Montreal. The Canadiens capitalized on their scoring chances and solid defense to earn an emphatic win.
Florida’s offensive struggles continued, with the Panthers being shut out in consecutive games for the second time this month. Spencer Knight made 21 saves for Florida, but the team was unable to generate any scoring momentum. Notably, this marked the first time since 2003 that the Panthers were held scoreless in back-to-back home games. Their scoring drought has been a sharp contrast to their success in games where they manage at least one goal, boasting a 10-0-1 record in those instances.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens will travel to Tampa Bay for their next game on Sunday, while the Panthers remain at home to host the New York Rangers on Monday. Montreal will aim to build on their strong performance, with Dobes now a promising addition to their lineup. Meanwhile, Florida will need to regroup quickly to address their scoring woes and get back on track.
