Montreal Canadiens News

After stealing Game 7 over the Lightning, Dobes turned in his worst performance of the playoffs in the opening game of the second round. The 24-year-old netminder allowed four goals on just 16 shots as the Habs suffered a 4-2 defeat. The Canadiens and Dobes will be hoping to bounce-back in Game 2, as they enter action as very slight underdogs at +110 on the money line.

Dobes was the standout performer in a deciding Game 7 against the Lightning, as the Canadiens pulled off a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 29 to 9. Dobes' Game 7 heroics highlight what was a very impressive opening round series for the 24-year-old netminder. He posted a 4-1-2 record to go along with a 2.03 GAA and a .923 SV%. The Habs open up their second-round series against the Sabres as slight underdogs, as they enter action on Wednesday at +115 on the money line.

Arber Xhekaj will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, sending Struble to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Struble is averaging 10:46 time-on-ice, recording a +3 plus/minus and 21 hits through seven games this postseason.

Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. The 21-year-old Xhekaj was the odd man out of the lineup to accommodate the return of Noah Dobson (upper body) in Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but had been serviceable prior in the series, recording one assist and 31 hits in six games.

Joe Veleno will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, sending Gallagher to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Gallagher made his 2025-26 postseason debut in Game Four against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is averaging 6:25 time-on-ice and has one goal through three games in the playoffs.

Brendan Gallagher will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Veleno to enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno has not played in nearly three weeks. He had five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games this season.

Dobson has not played in three weeks, suffering an upper-body injury in the final week of the regular season, but he is expected to return to the lineup in Game Seven on Sunday. The 26-year-old Dobson scored 47 points (12G / 35A) in 80 games this season.

The Canadiens will unsurprisingly stick with Dobes between the pipes as the Canadiens enter a must-win Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 24-year-old Czech goalie was outstanding in Game Six, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%), but ultimately allowed the game’s only goal midway through the first overtime period. He has a 2.19 GAA and .916 SV% through six games this postseason (3-3). Montreal enters Game Seven as a +145 road underdog.

Dobson has not played in three weeks, suffering an upper-body injury in the final week of the regular season, but he has been working hard and could be an option in Game Seven on Sunday. A decision will be made for the talented 26-year-old defenseman after he participates in warmups before the game.

The Habs will of course roll with Dobes between the pipes when they look to close out their series against the Lightning on Friday. Dobes was spectacular in Game 5, allowing just two goals on 40 shots as the Habs secured a 3-2 victory. The Canadiens enter action in Game 6 as the slightest of underdogs at +105 on the money line.

The Habs will roll with Dobes between the pipes for a pivotal Game 5 matchup in Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Dobes allowed 17 goals on 20 shots in Game 4 as the Lightning edged the Canadiens by a score of 3-2 to even the series. The 24-year-old netminder has posted an .883 SV% through the opening four games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dobes and the Habs enter action on Wednesday at +130 on the money line.

Brendan Gallagher will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game Five on Wednesday, sending Kapanen to the sidelined as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Kapanen had a solid rookie season, scoring 37 points (22G / 15A) in 82 games, but has been held off of the scoresheet through four games this season.

Oliver Kapanen will be a healthy scratch in Game Five, allowing Gallagher to draw into the lineup for his postseason debut. The 33-year-old Gallagher averaged 12:21 time-on-ice and scored 23 points (7G / 16A) in 77 games this season. He has 33 points (13G / 20A) in 76 career playoff games.

Dobes was lightly tested in Montreal’s 3-2 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, saving 15 of 17 shots (.882 SV%), but made several timely saves to ensure the victory. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has been solid in his first postseason as a starting goalie, posting a 2.45 GAA and .892 SV% in three games (2-1). The Canadiens hope to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on Sunday, entering Game Four as slight -103 home underdogs.

The Canadiens will unsurprisingly stick with Dobes between the pipes as the series shifts back to Montreal for Game 3. Dobes turned in another steady performance in Game 2, denying 31 of the 34 shots he faced in the 3-2 overtime defeat. Despite having home ice advantage for the first time in the series, the Canadiens still enter action on Friday as very slight underdogs at +105 on the money line.

As expected, Dobes will be back between the pipes for the Habs tonight as they look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Lightning. Dobes turned in a steady performance in Montreal 1's Game 1 overtime victory, turning away 20 of the 23 shots he faced. He'll need to bring his A-game again on Tuesday night, as despite the series lead Montreal enters action as the underdogs at +150 on the money line.

After not being a healthy scratch for 14 seasons, Brandan Gallagher was held out of Montreal's lineup for the previous four games but will draw back in for Game 82 in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The 33-year-old gritty winger is having a down season offensively, with just six goals, 22 points and 39 PIMs in 76 games played while averaging 12:22 TOI.