NHL EDGE stats for Lightning-Canadiens Game 7
3. Dobes’ save percentage metrics
Although Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2020, 2021) and past Vezina Trophy winner (2019; also a finalist for award this year), Canadiens rookie Jakub Dobes has outperformed his elite opponent in this series.
Dobes has a better 5-on-5 save percentage in this series (.921) compared to Vasilevskiy (.912). Dobes also has a better 5-on-5 save percentage in close situations (.921) than Vasilevskiy (.907), meaning when games are tied in the first or second period or within one goal in the third period.
Vasilevskiy has had the edge in terms of high-danger save percentage (.854) compared to Dobes (.829) during this series, but Vasilevskiy has been much better in that category over his three wins (.880) compared to his three losses (.826). It’s also worth noting Vasilevskiy and Tampa Bay have played the entire series without injured Victor Hedman, who’s the team’s No. 1 defenseman.
Montreal has also been without one of its top defensemen, Noah Dobson, all series because of injury. Another potential difference-maker for the Canadiens in Game 7 is Lane Hutson, who scored the overtime goal in Game 3 on what was the second-hardest shot attempt of his NHL career (90.08). Hutson has taken on a bigger role with Dobson out and is tied with Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes for the most long-range goals in the NHL this postseason (two each). Hutson ranked ninth among defensemen in 20-plus mph speed bursts (141) during the regular season and also excelled in max skating speed, midrange and long-range shots on goal.
