Noah Dobson Sidelined: Montreal Canadiens Lose Defensive Pillar Ahead of Playoffs

The Montreal Canadiens face a significant setback on their blue line as star defenceman Noah Dobson is set to miss the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The injury occurred during a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, leaving the team to navigate the early rounds of the post-season without one of its most impactful players.

Injury Details and Timeline

The Canadiens announced on Sunday, April 12, 2026, that Dobson suffered an upper-body injury. The incident happened in the second period of the game against Columbus when Dobson blocked a slap shot from Zach Werenski with his left hand. While he finished his shift, he left the game shortly after and did not return.

Team officials have stated that Dobson will be re-evaluated in two weeks, effectively ruling him out for the opening stretch of the playoffs.

The Impact of Dobson’s Absence

Dobson’s absence creates a void in both the defensive and offensive facets of the Canadiens’ game. Since being acquired from the Islanders last summer, he has become a cornerstone of the Montreal roster. His 2025-26 regular season statistics highlight his value:

• Offensive Production: 12 goals and 47 points across 80 games.
• Defensive Dominance: He leads the NHL with 188 blocked shots.
• Workhorse Minutes: He averaged 22 minutes and 29 seconds of ice time per game, the third-highest on the team behind Mike Matheson and Lane Hutson.

“He plays substantial minutes for us, plays against the top competition, shuts down some really high-end players on the other side and pitches in pretty decent offensively, too. He does it all for us.” — Lane Hutson, Canadiens Defenceman

Roster Adjustments and the Right-Shot Dilemma

The injury is particularly challenging because of a lack of depth among right-handed defencemen. With Alexandre Carrier also sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained on March 29, the Canadiens are severely depleted on that side of the ice. Coach Martin St. Louis noted that losing Dobson meant the team effectively had no right-handed defencemen remaining available.

In response to the injury, the Canadiens have recalled David Reinbacher from the Laval Rocket of the AHL to provide much-needed depth.

Key Takeaways

• Injury: Upper-body injury (left hand) suffered against Columbus Blue Jackets.
• Timeline: Re-evaluation in two weeks; will miss the start of the playoffs.
• Roster Move: David Reinbacher recalled from the AHL.
• Critical Loss: Dobson leads the league in blocked shots and is a top-three player in ice time for Montreal.

Looking Ahead

As the Canadiens prepare for their upcoming series, the focus shifts to how the remaining defensive core will absorb Dobson’s heavy workload. While the team hopes for a timely return, the immediate priority is integrating Reinbacher and managing the minutes of Matheson and Hutson to compensate for the loss of their primary shot-blocking specialist.