Montreal Canadiens advance to Eastern Conference Final

Alex Newhook's name is already on the cup.His team this year, so resilient.Lane Hudson with points in all the games, and these games have been, by and large, not close.22 goals to 11, and their penalty kill elite during that stretch.5 -0 following a loss in the playoffs.Their last consecutive defeats were back in mid -March in the regular season.

How do you explain their ability to bounce back?We know what an emotional roller coaster it can be.They bounce forward, to use the word that their coach coined, Marty San Luis, so brilliant.You don't want to bounce back.You want to bounce forward.And they did.

It's a great question.I wish I would have thought of that a long time ago.You don't bounce back, you bounce forward.And so a credit to Marty on how he Kind of soon as the game was over when you lose it's important for the coach to come in and give them a good message when they leave the rink.You don't want them dragging their heads for a day in between games and going oh my gosh what's the coach going to say to us when he sees it.So I'm sure Marty had closure on those losses and then like he said bounce forward.

Here's what we have to do in our next game to make sure we're ready.And he got these guys focused.It's been impressive.It doesn't happen by accident.I mean they got blown out the other night.I mean they walked out of that building thinking oh my gosh we didn't touch the park.

That's seven straight goals.seven straight goals and they had zero little focus as far as the details of the game that you need to play with to have a chance to win and tonight Dobish again back there being that solid piece when you got a goaltender that plays like that plays with that confidence and your team sees him in there that certainly helps you gain confidence to be able to go out make plays and eventually find a way to win.

We see his name is alongside Ken Dryden, which in that organization as a rookie goalie to be mentioned in the same breath as that guy off the charts.

You know, let's take some time here.Let it great points by you.Let's take some time here.It was earlier this year and really 2025 when Montreal played just up the road of Prudential Stadium.against the Devils.And after the game they lost a shootout and Dobish was hard on himself.

Do you remember this.He was hard on himself.And I can tell you I spoke to Dobish is kind of goaltending guru outside the organization.He works with Marco Marciano for the Habs.He does a great job.A gentleman by the name of Pete Fry out of B .

C.and I talked to him before the game and I said what did you work on with Dobish last night.He goes create a clear picture.of seeing, hearing, and feeling what you want this game to look like, number one.Then he said, number two, write a letter from your future after the game to yourself now.Wow.

Leave no stone unturned.Love it.Basically, be the moment.Embrace this.Be the moment.You're built for this.

And I think you mentioned the point.37 saves on the night for him.It's been an amazing run.I loved his post -game interview.We'll get to that after.But as a goalie, when you get blown out and your team gets blown out, there's a tendency to carry that with you.

And the same thing for the team.And Tony, I kick it to you.My former teammate, Marty St. Louis, has done a lot of work in the dark for them to shine in the light.Oh, good.With their confidence.As a group, starting with Dolbish.

There's no doubt and you know I saw Dobish playing college.Mm -hmm and before at Ohio State Even though you know Cole Caulfield probably got a couple on it's right point, but like but but regardless You know his presence in there.He does not look like a rookie goaltender He really doesn't and with what he did in game seven in Tampa And that whole series to outperform and go safe or save with Basilewski and come out ahead and all tight games.You saw a little bit of something maybe you didn't know about him.And then if you're his teammate you never know what your goaltender no matter what he does in the regular season what he's going to be like one day when the money and the chips are down.How is he going to be back there.

And this kid just had his chest out never faced and.You know like you just mentioned impressive and on all the stuff that you talked about with what he had worked on the picturing it and in the assignments that his goaltender coach gave him.I think that's a great story and lots of other young players.This is a good thing to learn from.It's not all about what you do on the ice.There's things you can do to help yourself be mentally prepared for that moment.

That isn't just practicing and shooting pucks.There's a lot that goes in up here that can help you along the way too.And that's a perfect example.

And we often say that teams will mirror their coaches.the cool of Martin San Luis even after that blowout loss in Game 6.He's always twirling the bottle cap.So I'm trying to do that trying to channel that calm my resting pulse is about 180.I can't do it.