The Montreal Canadiens are going to be looking for their third straight win tonight on the road against the Ottawa Senators. They remain one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings for third in the Atlantic Division and will be playing a Senators team that is desperately trying to remain in the Wild Card race but is already five points behind the Boston Bruins.
For most of the season, the Canadiens' goaltending has been a big question mark, but Wednesday night presents a big opportunity for Jacob Fowler as he can prove he needs to be part of the rotation. The Canadiens called him up from the AHL on Wednesday and announced he would be the starter tonight.
This is a big statement because it was expected to be Sam Montembeault in net in the second of a back-to-back after Jakub Dobes started against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Montembeault has struggled as of late and allowed nine goals over his last two starts.
Jacob Fowler looked great earlier this season for Montreal Canadiens and has chance to earn backup role moving forward
Jacob Fowler made his NHL debut earlier this season and started 10 games, where he went 4-4-2 over that stretch. While the record doesn't jump out, the underlying metrics are what should have fans excited. He finished with a save percentage of .902 and a goals against average of only 2.62.
The reason for the record was more so due to the Canadiens offense struggling rather than Fowler's performance as they were shutout twice and scored one goal once. In games that he got three or more goals of support, Fowler was 4-1-2.
Fowler would be sent back down to the AHL in January due more to roster constraints than his performance. It is tough to juggle three goalies and get them regular work, and it does take up an extra roster spot.
However, now that the Canadiens are not restricted to the number of players on the roster, they can bring Fowler up and put together their rotation of the best two goalies. Right now, that should be Dobes and Fowler, and until one of them falters, which hopefully is not the case, they shouldn't consider having Sam Montembeault back on the ice and in the net.
It is certainly a big test for Fowler, but if he is able to deliver a big performance, it will make the coaching staff's decision a little easier on who to use moving forward.