Jacob Fowler shines in Montreal Canadiens' preseason debut

The Montreal Canadiens opened their preseason at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and while Samuel Montembeault drew the first cheers, it was Jacob Fowler who stole the show by the end of the night.

Montembeault, the unquestioned Canadiens’ starting goalie, played his first preseason game since a hamstring injury sidelined him during last season’s playoff matchup against the Washington Capitals. He looked solid, stopping 20 of 21 shots faced in just over 30 minutes. He then made way for the Canadiens' top goalie prospect, Fowler, who was making his preseason debut, his first opportunity to don the illustrious bleu, blanc, et rouge jersey. The pressure did not seem to bother Fowler as he impressed in his debut.

With 9:55 left to play in the second and the Canadiens down 1-0 to the Penguins, Fowler entered the game hoping to change the tide. Fowler was tested early. With just over five minutes left in the second period, Penguins forward Valtteri Puustinen had a breakaway after beating Mike Matheson on the blueline. Puustinen cut across the net looking to shoot five-hole, but Fowler shut the door. It was not long after that “Fowler” chants began to be heard in the Bell Centre.

The Canadiens tied the game early in the third period, when Owen Beck put in his own rebound into the open goal. Neither team could break the deadlock after that, and the game went to overtime. The Canadiens nearly lost the game in overtime if it was not for a spectacular save from Fowler. With just over three minutes remaining, the Penguins got the Canadiens on a line change and entered the zone on a two-on-one. Penguins' defence, Ryan Shea sent a cross-crease pass to forward Avery Hayes, who was alone at the back post. Fowler made a fantastic sprawling glove save to keep the game alive. Neither team could find the back of the net in overtime, sending the game to a shootout.

Fowler finished the game, stopping all 13 shots he faced in regulation and overtime, while also denying four out of the five shooters he faced in the shootout, as Oliver Kapanen scored to give the Canadiens the win.

It was an impressive performance by Fowler, whose stock just continues to rise. Many expect Fowler to be the future for the Canadiens in nets, and his performance against the Penguins shows exactly why that is the case. Fowler is not playing for a roster spot this season, but if he continues to perform like that and has a strong season for the Laval Rocket, his time to shine in Montreal might come sooner than people think.