Canadiens stun Lightning in Game 7 to advance to Stanley Cup playoffs second round: Live updates and reaction

Noah Dobson suffered what appeared to be a left-hand injury on April 11, with some fears he might have broken a bone.

Three weeks and a day after the injury, Dobson was in uniform for Game 7. And he made an impact.

He was not sheltered by coach Martin St. Louis, was able to shoot the puck and made some important defensive plays. The Canadiens might have lost a bit of physicality with Arber Xhekaj giving up his spot to Dobson, but they added a ton of poise and puck-moving.

One of Dobson’s biggest plays came on the shift after the James goal tied it. Lined up for an offensive zone faceoff, Dobson’s shot from the point went wide to the outside and rimmed around the boards to Brandon Hagel, creating a two-on-one break for the Lightning with Dobson defending. Just as Hagel was getting ready to pass it across, Dobson slid on the ice and poked the puck away with his stick.

With just over five minutes left in regulation, Dobson blocked a Hagel shot in the Canadiens’ slot and slowly made his way to the bench, in clear discomfort.

He came back to finish the game, but we’ll see what that means for his availability in the second round, which he just helped the Canadiens reach for the first time in five years.