The last time Jakub Dobes saw action was on October 6, when he allowed 5 goals on 32 shots against the Hurricanes in a 6-4 loss at the Bell Centre. After taking part in his team’s first three games, the Czech watched the next three from the bench. Dobes, who in my humble opinion was the main reason for the Canadiens’ 3-2 win in the very first game of the season against the Leafs in Toronto, did not look good in the 6-5 loss in Pittsburgh (allowing 6 goals on 30 shots) or in the loss to the Canes. In short, just like Dobes, Fowler has made three starts, and if we compare the numbers, Dobes needs to raise his game a notch if he hopes to remain the number one for the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge.
Jakub Dobes: 1-1-1 4.43 .856%
Jacob Fowler: 2-1-0 1.19 .906%
Charlie Lindgren will play his second game of the season; he hasn’t seen action since October 3. The goalie stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced in a 3-1 loss to the Bolts in Tampa Bay in his only game this season.
Just like the Habs, the Capitals will play their second game in 24 hours with travel in between, so no excuses on that side for Martin St-Louis’s men. The Caps are 3-3 while the CH is 3-2-1. Spencer Carbery’s team will try to get back in the win column after dropping their last two games. On their side, the Canadiens will try to extend their winning streak to three.
David Reinbacher has been recalled by the Canadiens but will not dress for the game, as the head coach specified there would be no changes to the lineup other than the goalie change.
I believe the Habs has the better of the two teams; however, we must not forget they will be without the services of Mike Matheson, Oliver Kapanen, and Ivan Demidov. On the Capitals’ side, they will be without Rasmus Sandin, Matt Roy, and Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Season prediction: 3-3
Guaranteed win: 1-0
Prediction:
MTL – 3
WAS – 4
On that note, have a great rest of the day everyone, and enjoy the game tonight.