Dec 28, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) and Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach (77) celebrate after the game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Jakub Dobes Shines with 34-Save Shutout in NHL Debut, Canadiens Beat Panthers 4-0

Dobes makes history as the fourth Canadiens goalie with a debut shutout, leading Montreal to their first win in Florida since 2018.

Jakub Dobes, who was called up from Laval in the American Hockey League on Friday, becomes the fourth goalie in Canadiens history to achieve a shutout during his first game. Kirby Dach netted two goals for Montreal (15-17-3), who has claimed victory in four of their last five games. Spencer Knight recorded 21 saves for Florida (22-13-2), which has faced back-to-back shutouts (lost 4-0 to Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday) and had a streak of nine consecutive home victories over Montreal.

Dach scored to make it 1-0 at 1:39 of the second period. He failed to receive a cross-ice pass from Alex Newhook, but the puck deflected off his left skate and went by Knight.

In Laval, my goalie coach Marco (Marciano) always told me that, ‘You’re not here to play in this league. You’re here to be prepared for the NHL, So I feel like we’ve been working a lot to be ready for this next level and it was working today. Tomorrow is a next day and back to work.” : Dobes said.

WHAT A MOMENT!

Jakub Dobes secures the shutout in his NHL debut against the defending Stanley Cup Champions 👏 pic.twitter.com/BRho2tmAEX
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 28, 2024

Dach subsequently increased the advantage to 2-0 at 13:51 with a backhand during a breakaway. Jake Evans netted his third short-handed goal of the season at 17:19 to put the score at 3-0. He picked off a pass in the neutral area before netting a goal with a wrist shot from the left circle.

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Cole Caufield scored to make it 4-0 at 14:17 in the third period. Juraj Slafkovsky intercepted a stray puck in the neutral zone and located Caufield in the slot.

Dobes recorded 10 saves in the third period to maintain the shutout. Montreal hadn’t achieved a victory in Florida since December 28, 2018. The Panthers, having been blanked four times in their last eight matches, are set to face the New York Rangers on Monday.

Image Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Jakub Dobes

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Anamika Shrivastava

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