The Montreal Canadiens dearly miss defenseman Noah Dobson in their lineup. As they battle the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Habs have received encouraging news on the blueliner’s injury rehab.
Gearing up for Game 5 against the Lightning, the Canadiens received a bittersweet update on Dobson, as he is making progress but his return to play remains unconfirmed. Most signs suggest Dobson will miss the upcoming matchup with Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it might be the last game he misses.
As reported by TVA Sports‘ Renaud Lavoie, Dobson joined the rest of the Canadiens’ scratches for an optional morning skate at Benchmark International Arena. Seeing the blueliner back on the ice with teammates for the first time since sustaining a hand injury may signal Dobson is closer than ever to making his return to NHL action. Still, he appears set to be absent from the lineup in Game 5.
Dobson’s injury
Dobson has been sidelined since April 11, when he blocked a shot with his left hand in a regular-season matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Montreal has Dobson listed with an upper-body injury.
Noah Dobson #53 of the Montreal Canadiens.
Since the incident, Dobson has been absent from the Habs’ last six games (two in the regular season and four in the postseason). If the 25-year-old defenseman is indeed out for Game 5 against the Bolts, it will be his seventh straight game missed.
Dobson has missed games every year
Injuries have been a common theme in Dobson’s career, though most have usually been short-term. Since he entered the NHL in 2019, the former first-round selection (12th overall) has never played a full 82-game season. So far in his playoff career, Dobson has appeared in 31 games, recording 10 assists and no goals.
Perhaps he scores his first during the first-round series against the Lightning. It’d be perfect timing for both himself and the Habs. Still, Dobson’s return to play in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs remains uncertain.
Recent signs are encouraging, and the Canadiens might rush him back onto the ice if they fall behind 3-2 and face elimination in Game 6, which will be back home in Quebec’s metropolis.
