Canadiens Quick Hits: Slafkovsky, Dobes & Anderson
The Game 1 win by the Montreal Canadiens over the Tampa Bay Lightning gave fans some real storylines to chew on. Here are three quick topics from the win: a combo of stellar play from Juraj Slafkovsky and Jakub Dobes, and what’s next for Montreal.
Quick Hit 1: Juraj Slafkovsky became the Canadiens hat-trick hero.
Slafkovsky straight-up delivered. Three power-play goals and the overtime winner — historic stuff for a kid who just keeps getting better. He had seven shots, looked ice-cold calm in chaos, and suddenly, the guy who hit 30 goals this year feels like a legit postseason game-changer. If he stays hot, Tampa’s top defenders will have a long night every time he’s out there.
Quick Hit 2: Josh Anderson gave his team goals, hits, and heat.
Anderson did what Anderson does: scored a goal, four hits, and took four penalty minutes. He almost had another, but the review said the puck was above the crossbar. More importantly, his huge hit helped set the tone. That means Anderson’s going to have a target on his back for that one. He’s exactly the playoff bulldog Montreal needs, even if the physical stuff can bring penalties and headaches.
Quick Hit 3: Jakub Dobeš gave his team a gutsy, aggressive, and spotlight performance.
Dobeš was confident and aggressive, with 20 saves in a one-goal overtime win, and he outplayed Andrei Vasilevskiy on this night. He gave up two on the PP but stood tall when it mattered at 5-on-5. Keep in mind he’d been a bit shaky late in the season, but tonight he owned the crease and earned it. This is his net; Montreal better ride the wave while he’s sharp.
The crucial Dobeš combo note.
Dobeš got the start over Jacob Fowler and Sam Montembeault because he finished the season with a heavy workload (29–10–4, 2.78 GAA, .901), and enters the playoffs with mixed form. He’s been streaky down the stretch, so Montreal needs him to stay aggressive, control rebounds, and avoid lapses. If he does, the Habs’ young core can do the rest.
What’s Next for the Canadiens?
If the Canadiens expect to continue their winning ways, they’ll need to tighten up 5-on-5 and not take silly penalties. Tampa’s power play is lethal, so discipline is job one. Keep feeding Slafkovsky with traffic on the PP and let Anderson’s grit set a physical tone — but manage the penalties.
Dobeš needs another confident outing. If he gives Montreal two solid starts, this series gets messy and winnable. Game 2 is huge: grab it in Tampa, flip home-ice energy, and force the Bolts into panic mode.