Jakub Dobes' dominant October performance with the Montreal Canadiens

Jakub Dobes’ dominant October performance with the Montreal Canadiens

The numbers tell only part of the story, but they’re impressive nonetheless. In his six starts during October, Dobes posted a 1.97 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage, elite metrics that would be noteworthy for any goaltender, let alone a rookie in his first full NHL season. He made at least 30 saves in three of those six appearances and allowed two or fewer goals in four of them, consistently giving his team a chance to win every time he stepped between the pipes.

What separates Dobes from other young goaltenders is his composure. Many rookies play with nervous energy, overcommitting to shots or losing their positioning after allowing a goal. Dobes, however, plays with the patience and maturity of a veteran. He tracks pucks through traffic with remarkable precision, rarely gets caught out of position, and maintains his focus regardless of the game’s flow. These qualities have been evident in every start, making him appear far more seasoned than his limited NHL experience would suggest.

His ability to make timely saves has also been crucial. In several games during October, Dobes came up with critical stops at moments when momentum could have shifted against Montreal. Whether it was a sprawling save on a two-on-one rush or a calm glove save during a penalty kill, he consistently delivered when his team needed him most. That reliability has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, who have grown increasingly confident playing in front of him.

According to NHL.com, Dobes ranks among the league’s leading goaltenders in several key categories this season. Among netminders with at least three games played, he leads the NHL in 5-on-5 save percentage at .959, ties for second in wins with six, and ranks third in high-danger save percentage at .918. These statistics underscore not just his success but the manner in which he’s achieving it—by stopping the most difficult shots in the most critical situations.

The Montreal Canadiens’ decision to give Dobes an extended look early in the season has paid immediate dividends. His performance has allowed the team to remain competitive in a tightly contested Atlantic Division, and his presence has given head coach Martin St. Louis the luxury of managing his goaltending rotation without panic. For a young team still learning how to win consistently, having a goaltender who can steal games is invaluable.

Historic company: Jakub Dobes joins Montreal Canadiens goaltending legends

Dobes’ six-game winning streak to start the season places him in rarefied air within Canadiens history. Since the 1967-68 season, only three other Montreal goaltenders have begun a campaign with a 6-0-0 record: Carey Price, Ken Dryden, and Wayne Thomas. That list represents some of the greatest names ever to wear the bleu, blanc, et rouge, and for Dobes to join it speaks volumes about both his performance and the legacy he’s beginning to build.

Carey Price, of course, is the most recent comparison. The Montreal Canadiens’ 2025-26 season start has shown how much the team has evolved since Price’s prime years, but his influence on the franchise’s goaltending culture remains profound. Price’s ability to remain calm under pressure and make game-changing saves became his trademark, and Dobes has shown flashes of similar qualities. While it’s far too early to make direct comparisons, the parallels in their playing styles are undeniable.

Ken Dryden’s name on that list is perhaps even more significant. Dryden arrived in Montreal as a relative unknown and went on to become one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, backstopping the Canadiens to six Stanley Cups in the 1970s. His unorthodox style and intellectual approach to the game revolutionized goaltending, and his legacy remains a measuring stick for every Canadiens netminder who follows. For Dobes to achieve the same early-season feat as Dryden adds a layer of historical significance to his accomplishments.

Wayne Thomas, though less celebrated than Price or Dryden, was a critical part of Montreal’s goaltending depth during one of the franchise’s most dominant eras. His 7-0-0 start in 1972-73 helped establish the Canadiens as contenders that season, and his steady play provided the team with confidence in its depth. Dobes’ role this season carries similar weight—he’s not just winning games; he’s proving that the Canadiens have a legitimate solution in goal, something that has eluded them in recent years.

Beyond the Canadiens’ franchise history, Dobes also became just the 10th rookie goaltender in NHL history to win each of his first six appearances of a season. Only four netminders have posted longer winning streaks to start their rookie campaigns: Bob Froese (8-0-0 in 1982-83 with Philadelphia), Martin Jones (8-0-0 in 2013-14 with Los Angeles), Wayne Thomas (7-0-0 in 1972-73 with Montreal), and Brent Johnson (7-0-0 in 2000-01 with St. Louis). Each of those goaltenders went on to have successful NHL careers, and Dobes now has the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.

How Jakub Dobes earned third star honors alongside Eichel and Scheifele

Being named the NHL’s third star of the month for October places Dobes in elite company. Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights took first star honors after leading the league with 19 points in 11 games, including multiple four-point performances. Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele earned second star recognition by tying for the NHL lead in goals with nine while also becoming his franchise’s all-time leading scorer. For Dobes to be recognized alongside two of the league’s premier offensive talents underscores the impact he had on Montreal’s success.

What makes Dobes’ achievement particularly impressive is the context. Eichel and Scheifele are established superstars with years of NHL experience and multiple accolades on their resumes. Dobes, meanwhile, is a fifth-round draft pick from the 2020 NHL Draft who played just 16 games last season. His path to this recognition has been anything but conventional, making his October performance all the more remarkable.

The recognition also highlights the importance of goaltending in today’s NHL. While offensive stars often dominate headlines and awards conversations, the league’s decision to honor Dobes alongside Eichel and Scheifele acknowledges the crucial role that elite goaltending plays in team success. In a month where several goaltenders posted strong numbers, Dobes’ perfect record and clutch performances stood out, earning him the recognition he deserves.

For the Canadiens organization, having a player recognized as one of the league’s top three stars in any given month is always significant. It brings positive attention to the franchise and validates the team’s development process. After Montreal locked up Jakub Dobes with a two-year extension earlier this year, the organization clearly believed in his potential. His October performance has vindicated that faith and then some, proving that the Canadiens’ patient approach to his development has paid off.

The Dobes effect on Montreal Canadiens’ early-season success

While Dobes’ individual statistics are impressive, his impact on the Canadiens extends far beyond the numbers. Montreal entered the 2025-26 season with modest expectations, viewed by many as a team still one or two years away from genuine playoff contention. Yet through the first month of the season, the Canadiens posted an 8-3-0 record and claimed early control of the Atlantic Division, with Dobes’ goaltending serving as the foundation for that success.

His presence has transformed the team’s defensive structure. Knowing they have a reliable goaltender behind them, Montreal’s defensemen and forwards have played with greater confidence and aggression. They’re taking more chances offensively, pinching in from the blue line, and applying pressure in the offensive zone because they trust Dobes to clean up any mistakes. That trust is invaluable for a young team still learning how to balance offense and defense at the NHL level.

The psychological impact of having a hot goaltender cannot be overstated. In hockey, momentum and confidence are contagious, and when a team sees its goaltender making save after save, it energizes the entire lineup. Montreal has fed off Dobes’ performances throughout October, with players stepping up in different areas knowing their goaltender will give them a chance to win. That collective belief has manifested in tight games where the Canadiens have found ways to secure victories they might have lost in previous seasons.

Dobes’ emergence has also created healthy competition within the team’s goaltending group. Veteran Sam Montembeault, who began the season as the presumed starter, has struggled to find his form, posting inconsistent results in his early appearances. Rather than being forced to ride with an underperforming starter, head coach Martin St. Louis has been able to turn to Dobes with full confidence. This internal competition has raised the standard for both goaltenders and given the coaching staff flexibility in managing the position throughout the season.

What Jakub Dobes’ October means for the Montreal Canadiens’ future

The long-term implications of Dobes’ breakout month extend far beyond the 2025-26 season. For years, the Canadiens have searched for a successor to Carey Price, cycling through various goaltending options without finding a clear answer. Dobes’ performance suggests that search may finally be over. If he can maintain even a fraction of this success over the remainder of the season, he’ll establish himself as Montreal’s goaltender of the future, providing the stability the position has lacked since Price’s decline.

From a salary cap perspective, having a young goaltender on an affordable contract is a massive advantage. With Dobes signed through the 2026-27 season at less than $1 million per year, the Canadiens have significant financial flexibility to build around him. In an era where elite goaltenders command $8-10 million annually, having a quality starter on an entry-level deal allows the team to allocate resources to other areas, whether that’s signing free agents or extending the contracts of their young core players.

Dobes’ success also accelerates the Canadiens’ competitive timeline. Teams in rebuilding phases often struggle to find adequate goaltending, forcing them to wait until a prospect develops or acquire a veteran at significant cost. Montreal appears to have stumbled into a franchise goaltender without having to sacrifice assets or overpay in free agency. If Dobes continues this trajectory, the Canadiens could find themselves competing for playoff spots sooner than expected, building momentum for their young roster while their stars like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovský continue to develop.

Of course, it’s important to maintain perspective. The NHL season is 82 games long, and maintaining elite performance over such a demanding schedule is extremely difficult, especially for a rookie goaltender. Dobes will face challenges ahead—opposing teams will study his tendencies, he’ll inevitably go through cold streaks, and the physical and mental grind of an NHL season will test his endurance. How he responds to these inevitable obstacles will determine whether he’s a flash in the pan or a legitimate franchise cornerstone.

That said, everything about Dobes’ demeanor and playing style suggests he’s equipped to handle the pressure. His calm presence in the crease, his technical fundamentals, and his ability to bounce back from rare mistakes all point to a goaltender with the mental fortitude required for long-term success. The Canadiens’ development staff deserves credit for his preparation, having brought him along through the AHL with Laval Rocket before giving him this opportunity. That patient approach has clearly paid dividends, as Dobes arrived in the NHL fully ready to contribute rather than overwhelmed by the moment.

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Jakub Dobes’ recognition as the NHL’s third star of the month for October represents more than just a personal milestone. It’s a statement about the Montreal Canadiens’ resurgence, a validation of the franchise’s development system, and a glimpse into what could be a bright future between the pipes at the Bell Centre. His perfect 6-0-0 record, elite save percentages, and clutch performances have given Montreal a foundation upon which to build its season, transforming early expectations and energizing a fanbase hungry for success.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Dobes to see if he can sustain this remarkable start. The challenges ahead are significant—the NHL is unforgiving, and rookie goaltenders rarely maintain such dominance over a full season. But if October proved anything, it’s that Dobes possesses the skill, composure, and competitive fire to thrive at hockey’s highest level. For a franchise steeped in goaltending greatness, from Jacques Plante to Ken Dryden to Patrick Roy to Carey Price, Jakub Dobes may well be the next name to join that legendary lineage.