Jakub Dobes: one of the few perfect NHL goalkeepers in September

Last year’s practice camp was a disaster for the Canadiens. The guys weren’t physically ready… the team collectively wasn’t ready to start a season in the NHL… injuries that hurt the (fragile) morale of the troops… It’s October – It Is October Yet – and it’s fair to say that the years follow each other, but they’re not alike. The CH have won four of their five preparatory games so far, and last night we saw just how ready the team seems to be to start the regular season in a week’s time. Apart from the disaster at home against the Maple Leafs, the CH have put in some good performances on the ice: Lane Hutson, in particular, has four points in three games, as does Alex Newook. Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Mike Matheson, Nick Suzuki and Alex Newhook each have three. Of course, there are always injuries that put a little stress on everyone (Dobson, Guhle, Reinbacher and Demidov?), but in terms of preparation – and team spirit – it’s obvious: the Habs are more ready than they were this time last year. And the other before that… We’ve already got a good idea of who the defensemen will be who will start the season with the big club, and we’ll be keeping an eye on Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen, Samuel Blais, Joe Veleno and Florian Xhekaj between now and the end of the week… But in front of the net, the die is cast, and nothing goes further: Jakub Dobes will be the backup goaltender behind Samuel Montembeault to start the campaign.