The Montreal Canadiens are heading back to the Bell Centre for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite splitting the first two games on the road and gaining home-ice advantage, the Canadiens are carrying a burden.
Montreal’s home record in the playoffs stands at 2-4. The Canadiens are aiming to reverse this trend in Game 3 on Monday night.
Canadiens’ Home Ice Struggles
Following an 8-3 loss in Game 6 against the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, captain Nick Suzuki spoke about the atmosphere at the Bell Centre. He noted that the special atmosphere sometimes leads to the young team trying to do too much. This, in turn, causes them to deviate from the simple game that often leads to playoff success.
Since the beginning of the playoffs, the Canadiens have avoided consecutive losses.
Rookie goalie Jakub Dobeš is a significant factor in this.
Dobeš’s Historic Rookie Run
Suzuki mentioned that playing at home takes getting used to, particularly for the younger players who are learning to manage the energy and resist overplaying. Similarly, performing well after a loss is expected to require experience for a goalie.
Jakub Dobeš is defying these expectations with a historic run.
Since 2005, only two rookie goalies have played as many playoff games in a single year as Dobeš’ 16 this season without losing consecutive games this deep into the playoffs.
- Cam Ward in 2006, eliminated the Canadiens en route to winning the Stanley Cup. Ward did not lose consecutive games until his 21st and 22nd starts of the playoffs.
- Matt Murray led the Pittsburgh Penguins to the 2016 Stanley Cup without losing consecutive games in his first 21 career playoff starts.
Dobeš’s Mindset After Game 2 Loss
Dobeš was critical of his own performance after an overtime loss to Carolina in Game 2, feeling he should have stopped the shot by Nikolaj Ehlers.
“When you go to OT, you try to give the team as much of a chance as possible, and obviously, the first chance they got, they scored,” Dobeš said after the game. “I just wish I could help the guys a little longer, but (the series is) 1-1, we’re going back (home), so I think we’re in a pretty good spot.”
The Canadiens will look to Dobeš as they try to take a lead in the series on home ice.