It has been a good couple of weeks for the Habs as they have been able to continue their winning ways in order to keep pace in the tight Eastern Conference race and the even tighter Atlantic Division race. The following are my impressions of the last slew of games the Canadiens have played.
Jakub Dobes
While he has had his struggles during the season, he still has a great record going 18-5-3 and he has improved his GAA to a 2.92. He would probably want to improve on his save percentage which stands at 0.894, but this is a high scoring league, and no matter what the stats say, he’s winning far more games than he is losing.
I said it during the summer (since I’m so darn smart) that Dobes was ready to be a number one goalie, and he’s proving that analysis as he currently holds the number one spot. He’s also showing some fiestiness out there which I love, as he does not take any crap from opposing players. In the last few games, he’s made timely saves, which is really what is essential to win in this league.
Samuel Montembeault
I really like Motembeault but he’s really having a rough go so far. Where Dobes is able to come up with clutch, timely saves, this is where Montembeault seems to be having difficulty. He still needs to find his game and hopefully the firing of goalie coach Eric Raymond and the promotion of Marco Marciano from Laval will help him gain confidence, and get back to form.
I really find St-Louis has done a good job to give him a chance to regain that confidence, but so far that has not materialized. With two more games left before the Olympic Break, I would give Motembeault another start. I know it sounds crazy, but the Habs need him to regain form so the Canadiens have a reliable tandem. He can be the goalie he was last year, he just needs to get over that mental block.
Cole Caulfield
Nothing much to say here. He’s scoring like crazy and is currently. He is third in the league with 32 goals and has more goals than any American player this season……but no Team USA Olympic spot for him…..oooookkkkkkaaaaaayyyyyyyy……
Lane Hutson
This guy is amazing. See above comments.
Madeness, madeness and stupidity (Tywin Lannister quote)
Nick Suzuki
This guy is honestly a right handed junior Crosby. He does everything correctly on the ice and his hockey IQ is on par with Sid. He sees the ice tremendously and makes perfect passes in the offensive. Suzuki is for real and I’m glad the Team Canada Brass had the wits to see it. (Saruman quote) He's one of the best captains in the league and is currently number ten in the league with 64 points and is a +26.
Phillip Danault
The addition of Danault has quietly solidified the lineup. There is less pressure on Evans to do everything defensively, and late in games St-Louis can put both Danaut and Evans out to take the draw as Danault is a lefty and Evans a righty. This was essential to their victory last night against the Sabres.
With two games remaining before the Olympic break vs the Wild on Monday and the Jets on Wednesday, I would give each goalie a start. Let Montembeault face the Wild so Dobes can get a rest, and then start Dobes on Wednesday and go into the break on a high.