May 10, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Fans give Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes (75) an ovation during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
May 10, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Fans give Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes (75) an ovation during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes navigated a bizarre equipment malfunction during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. A rival forward’s stick became wedged in his pad straps, yet Dobes remained focused as play continued without a whistle.
The incident happened in Game 2, and the play happened during a normal battle in front of the net. Multiple players were close to the crease, and both teams were fighting for space.
In the scramble, Carrier’s stick got caught in Jakub Dobes’ leg pad straps. However, Jakub Dobes continued playing. First, he maneuvered in front of the net, and even helped defend a scoring attempt with the sick jammed in his pads.
He then pulled the stick, all while the clock kept ticking. Even the announcers were impressed. "Good composure here by Doubes even though he has got a body in front of him," said one of the commentators as the moment unfolded.
No penalty was given on the play. The officials treated it as accidental equipment contact rather than an interference.
In this case, nothing major happened after the incident, but it still broke the goalie’s focus and limited his movement.
Another Moment Added to the Chaos
Another controversial incident happened late in the second period.
The Montreal Canadiens forward, Alexandre Texier, made a stick jab at the Carolina Hurricanes’ K'Andre Miller near the net during a stoppage. The contact looked like it hit the groin area.
Officials gave Texier a two-minute slashing penalty, so he stayed in the game. This decision started a debate about whether the penalty was too light.
That's because the NHL's Rule 62 states that if the stick makes contact in a slashing penalty, then the call should be a 5-minute major and expulsion from the game
In the end, the Carolina Hurricanes won the close encounter 3-2 in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens. The Eastern Conference Final series is now tied 1-1, as the Canadiens won the first game 6-2.
It will be interesting to see who wins the series and reaches the Stanley Cup Final. The next match will be played on May 25.
Read more at the NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi