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.

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.

“The defenseman is skating. It’s another step forward. Return to play still undetermined,” the Canadiens stated on their update on Dobson, via Anthony Martineau on X.

Fans in Montreal remained hopeful Dobson could be back in the lineup for Game 5 of the first-round series against Tampa Bay. Dobson made noise early on Tuesday as he skated by himself—and was later joined by Mike Matheson—prior to the team’s practice in Quebec before traveling to Florida. However, it looks like he won’t be able to play as the Habs vie for a 3-2 series lead on the road.

Canadiens confirm players’ status

As reported by Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed both Juraj Slafkovsky and Josh Anderson will play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Lightning. However, St. Louis provided no update on Dobson, who has yet to make his return to the lineup. Moreover, the former New York Islanders blueliner has yet to join the rest of the group in a team practice.

Though reports suggested the Canadiens could have Dobson back for the series against the Lightning, him missing the entire first round remains plausible. As Montreal said in its statement, Dobson is showing progress, but he is still not quite there yet to be cleared and reactivated. All signs indicate the 26-year-old defenseman is on track to miss his seventh straight outing in the 2025-26 NHL season for the Habs.

What happened to Dobson?

Dobson’s last appearance was on April 11, during Montreal’s regular-season defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dobson was in pain after blocking a shot with his left hand and hasn’t played since for the Habs.

At first, Montreal thought it had things under control even without him available. However, the Bolts are now putting the Habs against the ropes, and the latter have realized just how important having Dobson in the lineup is for them. The Canadiens hope to have him back as soon as possible. If not, it might be too late.

Since blocking a shot with his left hand during Montreal’s 5–2 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 11, Dobson has been out with an upper-body injury, as listed by the Canadiens. When announcing Dobson’s injury, the Habs confirmed the defenseman would be re-evaluated in two weeks. That date is now (almost) here, and the blueliner is set for a new evaluation.

As reported by TVA Sports‘ Renaud Lavoie, the Canadiens will have a better understanding of where Dobson stands in his recovery—and possibly make an announcement on him—in the next 48 hours. It’s no surprise, as it would meet exactly the timeline Montreal had set for its talented defenseman. Dobson could return just in time for some critical matchups against the Lightning.

Could Dobson return from injury?

The Canadiens have yet to make any announcement on Dobson, who has been inactive since April 11. However, the 26-year-old recently returned to the ice in team practices. With him skating and participating in drills again, the signs could suggest he’s trending toward a return and could play in his first playoff game with the Habs.

Dobson won’t play in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Bolts, but he could be back in action in later games of this evenly matched showdown or later in the Stanley Cup Playoffs if Montreal advances. Having Dobson in the lineup could be huge for the Habs to clinch the series and move on.

Dobson could be difference-maker

Dobson was second in the league in blocked shots, and his defensive skills could prove to be the difference in a matchup with the Bolts that has been decided through sudden-death overtime in the first three games of the series. In such a tight series, a presence like Dobson’s could be huge.

Tampa Bay is in a similar position with Victor Hedman, its top defenseman, who is listed as doubtful to play in the opening round. The Canadiens have done just fine without Dobson, but getting him back could be all she wrote for the Lightning.

If Dobson returns, who is taken off the lineup?

In the event of Dobson recovering from his injury and being inserted back into the lineup, the Canadiens will have to make roster moves. Most likely, one of Kaiden Guhle, Jayden Struble, or Arber Xhekaj will be scratched to make room for Dobson. There’s always a possibility head coach Martin St. Louis healthy-scratches a forward and puts together an 11-forward, 7-defenseman lineup, but it feels very unlikely.

“It was one play, it was only one play,” Martin St. Louis said on Dach’s mistake in overtime, via The Hockey News. “[Dach] brings physicality. For me, in the last two weeks, he has played with a lot of combativity.“

Prior to Moser’s overtime, game-winning goal, Dach sent a pass the length of the rink, icing the puck. With tired bodies on the ice, the Lightning gained possession off the draw, and Moser cashed in. Habs fans didn’t take it lightly. Following harsh backlash online, Dach deactivated his social media accounts.

Once again, the Canadiens’ fanbase proved it is among the most passionate in the NHL, but it can often cross the line between passion and madness.

Canadiens suffer rough loss in Game 2

The Montreal Canadiens came just inches away from taking a 2-0 series lead as Lane Hutson hit the post with less than a minute left in regulation. Immediately after, the ice at Benchmark International Arena tilted. From that moment on, it was all Tampa Bay Lightning in the extra period. Montreal was put up against the wall by Tampa Bay.

The Habs recorded no shots on goal in 12:48 minutes of overtime, and it was the Bolts’ ninth shot that finally beat Jakub Dobes and tied the series at one game apiece. That was all she wrote for the Canadiens in their second visit to the Big Guava. The series is even as it heads to Quebec’s metropolis.

Canadiens fans used Dach as scapegoat

Indeed, Dach’s icing was costly, but it’s far from the main reason why the Habs lost the game. They were unable to create anything, and the Bolts ran circles around them in overtime. As the Canadiens return home to The City of Saints, it remains to be seen how the capacity crowd at Bell Centre will greet Dach.

Perhaps, Martin St. Louis takes him out of the lineup. St. Louis has won virtually every trophy during his playing career, but he’s learned even more valuable lessons—one of them being to never air dirty laundry in public.

Lightning vs Canadiens: Series schedule

• Game 3: Lightning at Canadiens (April 24)
• Game 4: Lightning at Canadiens (April 26)
• Game 5: Canadiens at Lightning (April 29)
• Game 6: Lightning at Canadiens (May 1)*
• Game 7: Canadiens at Lightning (May 3)*

*If needed

As the Canadiens announced on their social media, Dobson has sustained an upper-body injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Montreal had no further comment on Dobson’s injury, nor details on what exactly happened to him. The injury was sustained during the Habs’ 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 11, when Dobson had just 12:57 minutes of ice time (averages 22:29 on the season).

As a result, Dobson was left out of the lineup for the Canadiens’ matchup against his former team, the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Dobson has now missed games for the seventh-straight NHL season. Since he made his league debut, Dobson has never played a full 82-game campaign.

Through 80 games with the Canadiens, Dobson has recorded 47 points, thanks to his 12 goals and 35 assists. In his first season with the Habs, Dobson has quickly made an impact and emerged as a top scoring option on the blue line. Dobson is the sixth-leading point scorer in Montreal, and second among defensemen behind Lane Hutson.

Will Dobson miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

As it stands, Dobson is scheduled for a re-evaluation by the Canadiens’ medical team in two weeks. The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs will drop the puck on April 18th, meaning Dobson will miss—at least—the first half of the opening round of the postseason. The Habs are keeping their cards close to the chest when it comes to Dobson’s situation, thus nothing can be entirely ruled out.

Dobson could end up missing much more time just like he could be back for Game 4-7 of the First Round. Regardless, the Canadiens have some big skates to fill on the defensive side of the puck with Dobson out of the lineup. A youngster with sky-high expectations could now be asked to blossom into a big role.

Canadiens call up David Reinbacher

The Habs announced the call-up of David Reinbacher shortly after confirming Dobson’s injury. Reinbacher, the former fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, made his career debut against the Islanders. It’s the first of many, and the Habs definitely hope Reinbacher can become a staple of their blue line.

Perhaps he takes over early in his career and helps the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s a next-man-up mentality, and there may not be a better replacement for Dobson than Reinbacher across the league.

“[The Lightning] are a team that we’ve definitely been trying to get to,” Caufield said in a powerful statement after the game, via NHL.com. “We’ve been building. It’s obviously a good feeling, but we’re still hungry for more.”

Following the 4-1 victory at Benchmark International Arena, the Canadiens are still third in the Atlantic Division, but have cut down Tampa Bay‘s lead over them to just two points. Though still pressured by the Boston Bruins (currently WC1) with 94 points, the Habs’ 96 points put them in great position to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Wins like Tuesday night’s over the Bolts show the rest of the league that Montreal is for real, and a menace come playoff time in the NHL. This could be the year the Canadiens snap Canada’s Cup drought, and hoist their first Stanley Cup since 1993.

Caufield’s numbers

Cole Caufield has earned the nickname “Mr. Saturday Night” thanks to his perfect blend of consistency and, as kids these days call it, aura during the 2025–26 NHL season. As it stands, Caufield has scored 20 goals in 21 Saturday night outings this campaign, as reported by Montreal Gazette.

However, Caufield could very well be called “Mr. Tuesday Night” or any other day, for that matter. He’s been that good all season long—every day of the week. Thus, it’s not surprising he is second in the league in goals with 47, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon’s 49.

Caufield leads Montreal’s Cup dream

Caufield is putting on a show night in and night out for the Canadiens. With him in such form, fans in Quebec’s metropolis can let their dreams run wild and free. The sky is the limit in the City of Saints, and the Habs aren’t afraid to aim for the stars and shoot for the moon.

Alex DeBrincat shined for Detroit, scoring the go-ahead goal late in the third period and adding two assists. J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp also scored to keep the Red Wings tied with Montreal in points for third place in the Atlantic Division and level with the Boston Bruins for the Eastern Conference wild-card spots.

This was DeBrincat’s second straight three-point game, and his line with Compher and Patrick Kane has become Detroit’s primary scoring force since Dylan Larkin’s lower-body injury on March 6. Copp returned after missing three games and added an empty-net goal to seal the win.

DeBrincat leads Red Wings’ scoring line

DeBrincat’s five-game point streak, with nine points (one goal, eight assists), highlights his importance to Detroit’s playoff push. “(Compher) has been great since (Larkin) and (Copp) went out. He was filling in on Larkin’s line and now he’s playing with us and he’s been really good. Now we’ve got (Copp) back as well,” DeBrincat said.

Red Wings stay in playoff contention

The win keeps Detroit in a strong position for the postseason, tied in points with Montreal and the Bruins for the Eastern Conference wild-card spots. John Gibson’s 32 saves and the top line’s consistency reflect the competitive identity Todd McLellan expects from his team, showing Detroit can contend even without Larkin in the lineup.

“I found late in the third period we didn’t manage risk properly,” St. Louis admitted after the 4-3 loss, via NHL.com. “I felt we were too aggressive and lacked a bit of execution. We gave up good chances late in the game that we didn’t have to give them.”

Montreal conceded the game-deciding goal to Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier—his 34th on the NHL season—with 2:30 minutes left in the third period. Such a blow was one too harsh for the Habs to recover from, and they have now lost back-to-back games at home.

Canadiens having trouble in homestand

Riding a three-game win streak, the Canadiens returned home to take on the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Boston Bruins at Bell Centre. So far, the homestand is off to a terrible start.

The Habs have dropped back-to-back games, and must now hold off the historic rival Bruins in a decisive game with playoff implications. If the Canadiens are serious about making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they can’t afford to go winless in three consecutive home games.

Playoff picture

Montreal currently sits in third place in the Atlantic Division. However, the Bruins and Detroit Red Wings—first and second wild cards, respectively—are both sitting just two points behind. Boston must make a quick stop in New Jersey before its visit to “The City of Saints”.

Thus, the Bruins and Habs might face-off in a game directly for the third place in the division. Meanwhile, the Red Wings will host the Calgary Flames, looking to end their three-game losing hex.

The race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is on. The Eastern Conference has turned into a bloodbath, and one misstep may be the difference between playing meaningful hockey in late April or enjoying an extra-long offseason. The Habs know the buzz in town would make the latter anything but an enjoyable period.

Despite the noise around the league, Bobrovsky ultimately was not moved, a sign that the Panthers intend to keep him for the near future as they continue pushing to remain among the top contenders in the Stanley Cup race. Now, attention has shifted from trade speculation to the possibility of a new contract.

According to a report from David Pagnotta, discussions between the Florida Panthers and Bobrovsky are expected to continue as both sides evaluate what a potential extension could look like. “Contract talks with Sergei Bobrovsky will also continue. He first asked for a long-term extension and I think the Panthers prefer a two or three-year deal.”

Will Sergei Bobrovsky leave the Florida Panthers?

No. Sergei Bobrovsky will not leave the Florida Panthers. Despite the rumors, the team’s front office decided to keep him, closing the door to any contender interested in a trade not only this season but also heading into the next one.

Sergei Bobrovsky and a contract extension with Panthers

The interesting part of the negotiations will undoubtedly be the length of the new contract. Bobrovsky is 37 years old and, despite his great talent, the Panthers do not seem willing to go for anything longer than two years.

NHL insider Kevin Weekes added fuel to the speculation when discussing Edmonton’s involvement to negotiate with the Florida Panthers and the player. “I’m told the Oilers and Bobrovsky’s camp have had some conversations.”

For Edmonton, exploring the market makes sense given their ongoing search for stability in net. Adding a veteran goaltender with Bobrovsky’s résumé would give the Oilers another experienced option and potentially strengthen their roster as they look to remain competitive in a difficult Western Conference. Connor McDavid needs help.

Oilers could comlplicate Canadiens trade for Sergei Bobrovsky

The Montreal Canadiens have been widely viewed as one of the more logical landing spots if Bobrovsky becomes available. However, the Oilers entering the picture could significantly complicate that scenario.

If the Oilers decide to pursue Bobrovsky more aggressively, they could create a bidding situation that raises the cost for any interested team, including Montreal. At the moment, it’s expected a high price set by the Florida Panthers.

With the trade market still developing, the situation remains fluid. What is clear, though, is that the Oilers and Canadiens may now find themselves competing for the same goalie if Bobrovsky ultimately becomes available. There’s not a lot of time left.

The Habs have been involved in no shortage of wild rumors as the trade deadline approaches. While the Canadiens could help the New York Rangers avoid trading Vincent Trocheck to a fierce rival, they have an agenda of their own. Rivalries in the NHL are unparalleled, and nothing may send a message quite like trading for a player your biggest rival let go years ago.

Fans can already guess where Montreal’s crosshairs are headed. The Calgary Flames have been wondering what to do with Nazem Kadri all season long, just as the Habs have wondered about Laine. Thus, a move involving both may be just what the doctor ordered. Perhaps the answer was in front of them all along.

“The Canadiens have circled back with the Flames recently on Nazem Kadri. Talks continue. Some chatter Patrik Laine could be in play here if this gets to the finish line,” as reported by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

What adding Kadri would mean for Montreal

Montreal already boasts a star-studded lineup. The biggest concern for the Habs currently lies in goaltending, which is why they are reportedly testing the waters around top goalies across the league.

However, if the Canadiens add Kadri to the mix, they could become the apex predator in the East. If the former seventh overall pick by the Maple Leafs ends up winning a Cup with the Habs while the Buds miss the playoffs entirely, it could be too much for Toronto to take.

Kadri’s contract

The Flames are in no hurry to move Kadri, though. The same can’t be said about the Habs and Laine, who has played just 5 games this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

Kadri, on the other hand, is under contract through the 2028–29 NHL season. However, Kadri is 35 years old, and his goals don’t exactly see eye to eye with those of Calgary, which is only just beginning its rebuild. Moreover, Kadri’s $7 million cap hit is a burden the Flames might be better off without.

Both sides could look favorably upon a trade—obviously, for the right price. Laine by himself may not be enough, but the Habs definitely have a few aces up their sleeve to tilt the scales and convince their Canadian counterparts all the way in Alberta.