The Montreal Canadiens got a big win on Wednesday on the road against the Ottawa Senators and one of the reasons was goalie Jacob Fowler. The former third-round pick was recalled from the AHL before the game and was making his first start since the middle of January.
Fowler delivered a great performance as he stopped 32 of 34 shots, including several shots in the closing minutes as the Senators scrambled to try and tie the game before the end of regulation. After the game, Fowler was asked about that final minute and how he felt in that moment.
"I felt pretty calm," Fowler said. "You are always chasing perfection, and you are never going to get it. I felt tonight I started off a little jumpy but settled in well."
Former Montreal Canadiens' goalie coach compares Fowler to Carey Price
Recently, Stephane Waite was on The Sick Podcast with Tony Mariano, and he drew comparisons to one of the best goalies in franchise history. "He reminds me of Carey Price, who was never too high, never too low, in control, and that's exactly Jacob Fowler.
This is certainly high praise, and Waite might be a perfect person to draw the connection. Waite was the goaltending coach with the Montreal Canadiens from 2013 until he was fired during the 2021 season.
He would be Price's coach for some of his best seasons, including when he won the Vezina Trophy during the 2014-15 season. That season Price would lead the league in wins with 44, save percentage (.933), and goals against average (1.96).
Montreal Canadiens have only one decision to make right now at the position
Most of the discussion around the position has been whether Fowler or Jakub Dobes should be the starting goalie moving forward. At this time, Martin St. Louis doesn't need to make a definitive decision as to who is the starter, but he does have to make a pivotal move now.
That decision is to move Jacob Fowler ahead of Samuel Montembeault on the depth chart and move forward with a combination of Fowler and Dobes. Montembeault has struggled all season, and in his past two starts has allowed nine goals and gone 1-2-2 over his last five starts.
Moving forward with a two-goalie rotation, even with three on the roster, will help bring clarity to the position that is needed down the stretch in the regular season and into the playoffs. If the Canadiens commit to these two, it will give them a chance to determine which goalie is best to lean on once the playoffs begin.
The Canadiens are back on the ice for practice on Friday and it could give a hint of what direction the team is going to go with the position moving forward.