Jakub Dobes Makes Historic NHL Debut With Shutout Against Panthers

The 23-year-old Czech goaltender becomes the first in nearly 40 years to blank a defending Stanley Cup champion in his first NHL game.

Jakub Dobes stopped 34 shots in his NHL debut, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers.
Dobes is the first goalie since 1985 to record a shutout against a defending Stanley Cup champion in their debut, and the first Canadiens goalie to debut with a shutout since 2005.
Kirby Dach scored twice, while Jake Evans and Cole Caufield added goals; Alex Newhook contributed two assists in the Canadiens' fourth win in five games.
Florida Panthers were shut out in consecutive games for the second time this month, marking the first time since 2003 they have been blanked in back-to-back home games.
Montreal is set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning next, with Tampa coming off a dominant 6-2 win over the New York Rangers featuring strong special-teams play.