Game 5 of the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres’ second-round series got off to a start that could charitably be called “chaotic.” With five goals in the opening 10:15 of play, it was far from a goaltending classic for both starters. When the first period came to a close with the Habs trailing and all the momentum tilting towards the Sabres, it seemed like it might have been time for Jacob Fowler to come in for his first Stanley Cup Playoff action to try to salvage a critical game.
Instead, Martin St-Louis stuck with the guy who helped drag the Canadiens to the second round in the first place with his performance in Game 7 of the opening round. After Konsta Helenius scored the third Sabres goal, fans began taunting Dobeš with mocking chants, and, folks, Dobeš did what the kids call “locking the f*** in.”
The circled area above was the Sabres’ most threatening run of the game from a deflating third goal to partway through the second period, and it was Dobeš who turned them away. With their goalie giving them a chance to get sorted out and get back on the scoreboard, they did just that. Lane Hutson danced around Alex Tuch to give Josh Anderson a tap-in goal to tie the game, and the rest is history as the Habs scored four unanswered goals to secure a 6-3 win.
When the late snow shower by Rasmus Dahlin had settled and the horn had gone, Dobeš held a .917 save percentage. That feels nearly miraculous considering his night started with three goals on four shots. It is a credit to St-Louis in a crucial Game 5 in a rabidly hostile arena that he stuck with his goaltender and instilled that confidence to bounce back after a disastrous beginning.
Dobeš isn’t the only one thriving with the support from his head coach either. Ivan Demidov looked cursed to never score his first playoff goal, with some trust from St-Louis he broke that goose egg. On the fourth line, Joe Veleno went from being a healthy scratch to driving a checking line that is giving the Sabres absolute fits.
Contrast this with the vibes on the opposing bench to tell you how this series is going. Tage Thompson meekly skated back to his bench while Lindy Ruff glared at him for another bad penalty and a power-play goal against. Meanwhile on the bench next to them, you have St-Louis giving Demidov a hug and being all smiles after his first goal.
In a series versus one of the hottest teams in the NHL going into the post-season and a Habs team that still had a lot to prove after a seven-game win over Tampa Bay, it’s becoming clear that Martin St-Louis is getting the most out of his team by trusting his process. The Habs in return are repaying their coach’s faith with repeated standout performances, with two rookies coming through in the biggest game of the season.
