Dobes Stands Tall as Canadiens Shut Down Oilers and Shake Up the Standings
If you were keeping an eye on the NHL standings this weekend, one game that really stood out came from Montreal, where the Canadiens delivered a statement win against the Edmonton Oilers. This wasn’t just a routine victory. It was a performance built on discipline, timely scoring, and, most of all, outstanding goaltending from Jakub Dobes.
Right from the opening period, it was clear that Montreal had a plan. That plan was tested almost immediately when the Canadiens were forced to kill a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play after taking two early penalties. Against an Oilers unit loaded with elite talent, that could have been a turning point. Instead, it became the moment that defined the night. Dobes was locked in, turning aside five shots during that stretch, including a point-blank chance from Zach Hyman. The kill was completed, the crowd came alive, and momentum was firmly taken by Montreal.
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From there, the Canadiens settled in and began to dictate the pace. Ivan Demidov opened the scoring early in the second period with a power-play goal, showing confidence and patience as he skated in and snapped a wrist shot over Calvin Pickard’s glove. The lead was doubled later in the period when Joe Veleno capitalized on a rare Connor McDavid turnover, lifting a quick shot past the Edmonton goalie.
By the third period, Montreal was fully in control. Nick Suzuki extended the lead on another power play, finishing off a perfectly timed feed from Juraj Slafkovsky. Edmonton did manage to respond when Hyman scored on a rebound, but any thoughts of a comeback were shut down quickly. Alexandre Texier sealed the game during a delayed penalty, finishing a 2-on-1 rush to make it 4-1.
Dobes finished the night with 27 saves, and his calm presence was felt throughout. His work early allowed the Canadiens to play with confidence, protect their lead, and avoid giving Edmonton any sustained momentum. For the Oilers, the loss snapped a five-game point streak and highlighted ongoing issues at five-on-five play, where chances were limited and often ended quickly.
From a standings perspective, this win pushed Montreal further into a positive stretch, improving them to 17-11-4 and showing they can compete with high-powered teams when they stay structured. For Edmonton, it was a reminder that even elite offenses can be neutralized when execution slips and opportunities aren’t finished.
All in all, it was one of Montreal’s most complete efforts of the season, and a game that could matter more than it seems as the standings continue to tighten.
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