Canadiens Face Big Test After Dobson Injury Ahead of Playoffs
You know, this is the kind of injury that can really shake a team if it happens at the wrong time. And for the Montreal Canadiens, losing Noah Dobson right before the playoffs definitely qualifies.
Dobson left Saturday’s 5–2 loss to Columbus after blocking a shot with his left thumb, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be ready when the playoffs begin next weekend. The team says he’ll be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks, which usually suggests a broken thumb. That’s a tough one.
Dobson has been a huge part of the Canadiens success.
And it’s not just any player. Dobson has been a big part of what Montreal does. He’s averaging over 22 minutes a night, has put up 47 points in 80 games, and leads the NHL in blocked shots. That’s a lot to replace. As head coach Martin St. Louis put it, he plays big minutes and does a little bit of everything — moving the puck, handling transitions, and bringing some physical edge.
But here’s the interesting part. The Canadiens didn’t panic. Instead, they called up 21-year-old David Reinbacher from Laval. He’s a former fifth-overall pick, and while his numbers in the AHL (24 points in 57 games) won’t blow you away, he’s been steady and reliable. He’s expected to make his NHL debut Sunday in New York, which is quite a spot to be thrown into.
What that tells you is Montreal isn’t trying to replace Dobson with one player. They’re going to spread this out.
The Canadiens are already dealing with injuries on the blue line.
They’re already dealing with injuries on the blue line, so this becomes more of a group effort. When Dobson left the game, Arber Xhekaj saw more ice time, and Lane Hutson ended up playing a ton of minutes. Mike Matheson is still there to carry a big load as well. That’s probably how this goes — a little more from everyone rather than leaning too hard on one solution.
And really, that’s the only way to do it. You’re not going to find another player who does exactly what Dobson does. So instead, you adjust. Let Hutson and Matheson handle the heavy lifting, let Xhekaj bring the physical side, and ease Reinbacher into things without asking too much too soon.
Right now, the Canadiens are focused on staying healthy for the playoffs.
With one game left in the regular season and playoff positioning still up in the air, this next stretch is about staying steady. Losing Dobson hurts — there’s no way around that. But the Canadiens have enough depth, and just enough flexibility, to manage it without completely changing how they play.
Sometimes that’s all you can ask for this time of year.