Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis faced critical decisions regarding his goaltending, opting to start rookie Jacob Fowler against the Ottawa Senators.
The 21-year-old netminder was pivotal in Montreal's 3-2 win, stopping 32 shots. Fowler, recalled from the AHL's Laval Rocket, had previously played 10 NHL games this season, posting a 4-4-2 record with a .903 save percentage.
St. Louis praised Fowler's composure under playoff-like intensity, stating, "He battled. He made some huge saves for us... Fowler did the job."
Teammates echoed the sentiment. Alex Newhook commented, "some of those saves he made late in the game there is a big reason why we won the game. A lot of credit to him."
Fowler, feeling more prepared than in his NHL debut, expressed happiness to rejoin the team and secure the crucial win. The Canadiens, currently third in the Atlantic Division with 18 games remaining, are focused on solidifying their playoff position. The victory over Ottawa, a key rival, provided valuable experience as the team heads into weekend games against San Jose and Anaheim.