Noah Dobson Looks Poised to Close the Season in Style – And Maybe Prove a Point
After weeks away due to the Olympic break, the Montreal Canadiens finally returned to the Bell Centre ice on Thursday night, eager to shake off the rust in a matchup against the New York Islanders. The game had its highs and lows: the Habs gave up a late goal that forced overtime, salvaged a single point, but fell 3-on-3 to Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s sudden-death winner. Tough break—but there were still reasons for optimism.
One of them stood out as unmistakably as a spotlight: Noah Dobson looked like a man on a mission.
Dobson’s name was buzzing all night, especially on one slick play early on. The Islanders, thinking they had time for a line change, lobbed a high flip toward the Canadiens’ zone. But Dobson read the situation instantly—his hockey IQ on full display. He broke into open ice while Lane Hutson, cool under pressure, snatched down the puck and delivered it perfectly forward. Nick Suzuki crashed the net, creating chaos, but Dobson didn’t wait for a pass back. Instead, he fired a clean shot glove-side to open the scoring. Simple decisions, perfectly executed—that’s what elite confidence looks like.
It’s ironic, maybe even controversial, that Dobson wasn’t named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster. Sure, it wasn’t considered a major snub at the time, but watching Thursday’s performance, it’s impossible not to wonder: did that omission light a fire under him? Facing his former team certainly added extra spice, and he responded by skating like he had something to prove.
We’re used to talking about names like Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield when it comes to pure motivation and offensive spark. But if Dobson joins that group with the same hunger and intensity, the Canadiens could be in for a major boost heading into the playoff race. He’s already surpassed last season’s point total—and he’s done it in 13 fewer games. That’s no small feat, especially in a tightly packed Atlantic Division where every goal and assist matters.
Yes, Montreal still has some details to tighten up—Thursday’s late-game lapse is proof of that. But having multiple players finding new gears at the same time can change a team’s entire energy down the stretch. If Dobson continues this trajectory, the Canadiens’ postseason chances might look very different in a few weeks.
Want to dig deeper into the full breakdown? Hit play below to catch the latest episode of Bottom Six Minutes, available on all major podcast platforms. Next up: the Habs face the Washington Capitals at home before embarking on a western road trip.
But here’s the real question—should Dobson have been on Team Canada all along, or is he now proving why they missed out? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is just heating up.
