Canadiens Quick Hits: Dobson, Dobes & Del Gaizo

The Montreal Canadiens might have dropped a tough one in New Jersey, but the night wasn’t short on storylines. Between lineup tweaks, strong performances on the blue line, and a goaltender learning the pain of his first NHL loss, this was a night that said plenty about where the Canadiens stand in early November.

Quick Hit One: Noah Dobson Making His Mark

If there’s been an early-season revelation on the back end, it’s Noah Dobson. The former New York Islander picked up two assists in Thursday’s 4–3 overtime loss to the Devils, giving him 10 points in 14 games. Even without top power-play minutes, he’s driving offense and playing mature, responsible hockey — 29 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating tell that story. Montreal’s blue line has been searching for balance since Jeff Petry’s departure, and Dobson might quietly be filling that void.

Quick Hit Two: Dobes Learns the Hard Lesson

Goaltender Jakub Dobes finally tasted defeat, even if he hardly deserved it. The 24-year-old stopped 24 shots but couldn’t prevent the Devils’ late comeback and Jesper Bratt’s overtime dagger. Now 6-0-1 with a .920 save percentage, Dobes continues to look like a long-term answer in goal. Still, games like this teach what the stat line can’t — how thin the line between winning and losing can be in the NHL.

Quick Hit Three: Del Gaizo Heads Back to Laval

Defenseman Marc Del Gaizo was reassigned to AHL Laval on Friday, a move that didn’t come as a surprise. The 26-year-old hasn’t cracked the Canadiens’ lineup yet this season, and with just one assist through six games in the minors, he’s more of an insurance policy than a roster challenger at the moment. Del Gaizo’s time will come if injuries hit, but for now, he remains steady depth — the kind of quiet organizational piece that every contender needs stashed in the background.

What’s Next for the Canadiens?

The Canadiens might not love the result, but they have to like the direction. Between Dobson’s poise, Dobes’ growth, and the steady shuffle of depth defenders, Montreal’s rebuild feels more like fine-tuning these days. Nights like this one in Newark? They’re part of the process — and the process looks promising.