Canadiens' Patrik Laine: No lingering injury concerns
Rotowire
Laine (abdomen) told reporters Monday that he was no longer dealing with an injury during the playoffs, Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette reports.
Despite Laine reportedly being available around New Year's Day, he continued to sit on injured reserve throughout the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs. In total, the 28-year-old winger saw action in just five games this year, registering one assist along the way. With an expiring contract, Laine almost certainly will be looking for another team when free agency opens July 1.
Canadiens' Cole Caufield: Nets goal in season-ending loss
Rotowire
Caufield scored a power-play goal on three shots and went minus-2 in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Caufield managed to put up four points (two goals, two assists) in this series. He had a total of six goals, 13 points (10 on the power play), 43 shots on net, 27 hits and a minus-10 rating over 19 playoff outings. Caufield will have high expectations in fantasy next year after a 51-goal, 88-point breakout over 81 regular-season games in 2025-26.
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Canadiens' Jakub Dobes: Cinderella run comes to close
Rotowire
Dobes stopped 23 of 28 shots in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The sixth goal was an empty-netter.
Dobes did well to get the young Canadiens this far, but they met their match against the Hurricanes. The 25-year-old lost four straight games to end the postseason. He wrapped up with a 9-10 record, a 2.66 GAA and a .908 save percentage across 19 playoff outings. Heading into 2026-27, Dobes figures to be part of Montreal's plans in the crease, likely in a tandem with either Sam Montembeault or Jacob Fowler depending on the team's moves this offseason.
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Canadiens' Jakub Dobes: Tending twine Friday
Rotowire
Dobes will guard the road goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Hurricanes on Friday, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports.
Dobes has lost the last three games, allowing three goals in each of those contests. Despite the skid, head coach Martin St. Louis is sticking with Dobes now that the Canadiens are facing elimination for the third time this postseason.
Canadiens' Jakub Dobes: Gets no help in Game 4 loss
Rotowire
Dobes allowed three goals on 42 shots in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.
Dobes was kept busy throughout the game, but the Canadiens' offense again had trouble solving the Hurricanes' defensive structure. With the loss, Montreal is on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-1 in the series. Dobes now has a 9-9 record with a 2.53 GAA and a .912 save percentage over 18 starts this postseason. Despite the recent losses, he's played well, so it's unclear if head coach Martin St. Louis will consider a change in goal for Friday's Game 5.
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Canadiens' Jakub Dobes: Looking to even series
Rotowire
Dobes will guard the home goal versus the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Dobes is looking to bounce back after consecutive overtime losses in Games 2 and 3. He's still allowed just eight goals on 93 shots over the first three games of the series, but Dobes hasn't gotten consistent support from his teammates. As long as the 25-year-old continues to play well, the crease should remain in his possession.
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