PITTSBURGH — Jacob Fowler will make his first NHL start as the Montreal Canadiens look to resolve their goaltending issues Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Fowler, considered by fans to be Montreal's goaltender of the future, has a 10-5-0 record, a .919 save percentage and a 2.09 goals-against average in 15 games this season as a rookie for the American Hockey League's Laval Rocket.
The Canadiens (15-11-3) recalled the 21-year-old American on Tuesday night following a 6-1 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. They finished fourth in the Atlantic Division, two points out of a playoff spot, heading into their matchup with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
Montreal's goal situation became a major storyline as the Canadiens scrambled to save themselves.
Sam Montembeault, the reigning No. 1, has a 5-6-1 record with a 3.65 goals-against average and .857 save percentage, ranking last among the 48 goalies with at least 10 games played.
Jakub Dobes won his first six games this season as a reserve, posting a 1.97 goals-against average and .930 save percentage, earning him the NHL's third Star of the Month for October. Since then, his numbers have dropped to a 3.15 goals-against average and .887 save percentage.
Dobs was sent off Tuesday after allowing three goals on 11 shots. Montembeault then gave up three goals on 10 shots in relief.
Now the Canadiens have turned to Fowler, a third-round pick (69th overall) in Montreal's 2023 draft who posted a .940 save percentage at Boston College last season.
Montreal also recalled defenseman Adam Engstrom and forward Owen Beck on Tuesday. Engstrom, 22, who has played two games for the Canadiens this season, will be part of Arber Csekaj's lineup.
Beck, meanwhile, is part of the lineup with center Jake Evans out for personal reasons and expected to return to the Canadiens' lineup Saturday against the New York Rangers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2025.
