Jacob Fowler, freshly recalled from the Laval Rocket, will indeed make his debut in the National League (NHL) in front of the Montreal Canadiens net on Thursday on the Penguins ice rink.
The 21-year-old American goaltender, third-round pick (69th overall) of the Habs in 2023, was recalled late Tuesday, after a scathing 6-1 defeat against the Tampa Bay Lightning, during which Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault looked bad by allowing three goals each.
Fowler has a record of 10 wins and 5 losses with the Rocket this season, with a save percentage of .919 and a goals against average of 2.09.
Like Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy and Carey Price, emblematic CH goalkeepers, Fowler will experience his baptism of fire in Pittsburgh. The three had scored victories in their first steps in the NHL.
Samuel Montembeault will be the rookie goaltender’s backup against Sidney Crosby.
Jakub Dobes (0.887) and Montembeault (0.857) are 39th and 52nd, respectively, in efficiency rating among the 53 goalies who have played at least 10 games this season.
Furthermore, CH announced that defender Adam Engström will be inserted into the lineup in place of Arber Xhekaj.
For his part, striker Owen Beck, recalled Tuesday at the same time as Fowler and Engström, will rotate a trio in place of Jake Evans. The latter, who did not participate in training Wednesday in Brossard, was absent from the team for personal reasons. Evans is expected to join her in New York for the game against the Rangers on Saturday.
The Habs have lost their last two games.
Start of match delayed
The start of the game between the Canadiens and the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena was delayed by 30 minutes.
The Penguins announced shortly before 6 p.m. that the game would officially start at 7:30 p.m., rather than 7 p.m.
The team explained that the decision was made due to an accident on southbound I-279. She encouraged fans to use alternative routes to get to the arena.
With information from The Canadian Press
