The Montreal Canadiens' goaltending situation has been a major talking point this season, and the recent recall of prospect Jacob Fowler from the Laval Rocket is injecting a new dynamic into the competition. After a string of inconsistent performances from both Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes, the Canadiens are looking for Fowler to provide a spark and solidify the team's play in net.
Montreal's goaltending has been a significant concern, contributing to the team allowing the fourth-most goals in the league. Montembeault, who was expected to take a leap forward this season, has struggled to find consistency, while Dobes, despite a promising start that earned him NHL's Third Star of the Month for October, has also battled inconsistency. In fact, heading into the matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Montembeault's .857 save percentage ranked last among goalies with at least 10 starts. Dobes was even pulled in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after allowing three goals on 11 shots, further highlighting the team's woes.
The Canadiens recalled Fowler, along with Adam Engstrom and Owen Beck, from their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, after a particularly disheartening 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fowler, a third-round pick (69th overall) in the 2023 NHL entry draft, has been impressive with the Laval Rocket, posting a 10-5-0 record, a .919 save percentage, and a 2.09 goals-against average in 15 games. He also recorded three shutouts in the AHL this season.
Fowler's debut came on December 11 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game where he stopped 36 of 38 shots, securing a 4-2 victory for the Canadiens. This marked the first time in NHL history that a Florida-born goalie has played in the league. Interestingly, former Canadiens legends Patrick Roy and Carey Price also made their NHL debuts against the Penguins.
While some view Fowler's call-up as a potential "panic move," others see it as a necessary step to address the team's goaltending issues and inject competition into the lineup. Coach Martin St. Louis acknowledged the team's need to improve their play in front of the goalies and emphasized that Fowler is not expected to be a "savior".
Some analysts believe that the Canadiens had no choice but to recall Fowler, given the team's struggles and the importance of making the playoffs this season. While bringing up a young goalie early in his development carries risks, the potential reward of stabilizing the position and salvaging the season outweighs those concerns.
Former NHL executive Pierre McGuire has praised Fowler, even comparing him to Martin Brodeur, noting similarities in their approach to the game. Fowler's mental toughness and ability to handle pressure have also been highlighted as crucial assets for a young goalie in a demanding market like Montreal.
The arrival of Fowler has changed the dynamic of the Canadiens' goaltending situation. While Montembeault has been given the nod to remain ahead of Dobes, Fowler's strong play could certainly change the hierarchy if he continues to perform well. With the team hoping Montembeault will rediscover his form from the 2024-25 season, Fowler's presence provides both competition and an opportunity for the Canadiens to solidify their goaltending for the present and future.
