Jacob Fowler is making it difficult for the Canadiens to take him out of the net. He stopped 46 shots for a 2-0 shutout of St. Louis, extending his winning streak to five and strengthening his case to start again Thursday against Dallas. With Montreal spending long stretches under pressure, Fowler’s composure and saves proved decisive.

By the Numbers
  • 46 saves in the 2-0 win over St. Louis.
  • 5 straight wins; 6-1-0 since joining Montreal.
  • 10.1 goals saved above expected, ranking first in the NHL.
  • .942 save percentage (second) and 1.54 goals-against average (fourth).
Yes, But

Fowler’s rise comes as Jakub Dobes struggles after a strong prior season, leaving Montreal with a difficult choice between its hot hand and a goalie who previously helped carry the team. The Canadiens also allowed too much sustained pressure; coach Martin St. Louis said the team must avoid spending so much time in its own zone.

State of Play
  • Fowler has been nearly unbeatable since his recall from the AHL and is emerging as Montreal’s starter.
  • The Canadiens are on a long road trip and missing Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov.
  • Dobes is 1-2-2 to start the season.
What’s Next

Montreal visits Dallas on Thursday, and Fowler appears likely to get another start. His performance could further clarify the team’s goaltending hierarchy.

Bottom Line

Fowler is turning a temporary opportunity into a compelling case for the No. 1 job—but Montreal will need more than outstanding goaltending to keep winning.