The Montreal Canadiens are going to be looking for another win on Saturday when they hit the road to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs. However, they are going to do it with a different-looking lineup as Josh Anderson is out and will be replaced by Owen Beck.
According to the Canadiens, Josh Anderson will not be playing tonight for personal reasons, and Owen Beck is returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch against the Utah Mammoth. The Canadiens needed to find a spot for returning Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach and Beck was one of the players who lost his spot.
It was certainly disappointing to see Beck be a healthy scratch because he has played very well since being called up from Laval. This season, he has appeared in five games and has had a point in his last three games, including a goal against the Winnipeg Jets.
Even though Beck is stepping into Anderson's roster spot, he likely won't replace him on the line with Chris Kreider and Jake Evans. Martin St. Louis will probably move Alex Newhook up into that spot and have Beck on the fourth line with Oliver Kapanen and Kirby Dach. That fourth line is an interesting line combination because it is essentially three centers on the same line, and it will be worth watching who is taking the faceoffs.
Jacob Fowler is looking for a chance to bounce-back after two subpar starts
Shortly after being called up from Laval, Jacob Fowler looked unbeatable and went 6-1 over his first seven starts. In total, he allowed only 11 goals against and had two shutouts during that stretch.
However, the past two starts have been a different story, as he has given up nine goals just in the games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Winnipeg Jets. Fowler's last start is one that fans should be more concerned about, as he was the one in net when the Winnipeg Jets had their historic comeback.
For about 55 minutes of that game, Fowler was cruising and seemed to be on his way to his third shutout of the season. Unfortunately, the Jets scored four to send it to overtime before scoring in the extra period.
The Canadiens as a team were able to put that loss behind them with the win over the Utah Mammoth, but Jakub Dobes got the start. It will be worth watching how Fowler does, especially early, and if he has been able to put his last start behind him.
Add us as a preferred source on Google