“Jacob Fowler back in the NHL?”: his name (and that of Marco Marciano) is back in the news

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
“Jacob Fowler back in the NHL?”: his name (and that of Marco Marciano) is back in the news
Credit: Getty Images

On Saturday night, Samuel Montembeault broke away from three leads for the Canadiens. The Habs lost to the Bruins despite a hat trick from Cole Caufield.

Were all the goals his fault? No, not necessarily.

But the fact remains that eight of the nine leads offered to the Québécois since his return from Laval have been dropped. This season, he has kept four small leads out of a possible 25.

The subject of goaltending is still the talk of the town, as the Habs are incapable of having a goaltender who makes at least nine out of ten saves in a game.

It's the story of the season, really: Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault have their ups and downs, as you know.

You'll recall that earlier this season, when things were going badly for the goalies, Jacob Fowler came up to play a dozen games. He helped Samuel Montembeault get back on his feet (when he returned upstairs, things were going well) and gave the goalies a little breathing space.

And then Jimmy Murphy raised the theory that the American might be called up today. It sounded a little more like a suggestion than news, but still: it's worth noting.

In any case, Jacob Fowler's name was all the rage on social networks yesterday.

That said, it's worth remembering that it was harder for Fowler towards the end of his recent stay upstairs. Fowler clearly needs some mileage in the AHL – which is normal for a young goaltender – and I think it would be better to leave him down there for the time being.

And let's not forget that the Habs no longer have the luxury of taking up three spots on their 23-man roster for goaltenders, as they did earlier in the season. The return of the injured changes the game, and Fowler's return would mean big decisions for Dobes.

It would therefore be harder to recall Fowler. But the Canadiens have proven that, if they think it's the best solution, they'll consider it.

It's also worth noting that the Canadiens could, if they wanted, decide to bring Marco Marciano to Montreal. Many people have long wanted to see this happen for the goaltending coach of the Laval Rocket.

Is goalie coach Éric Raymond living on borrowed time? Who knows. After all, even though Martin St-Louis has publicly said he doesn't think Monty is fragile, I wonder what he thinks of the whole situation, deep down.


overtime

– The numerical disadvantage isn't working right now. Who's the best shorthanded player in the NHL? The goalie, of course.

– Interesting.

– With good reason.

– Incredible.

– Prediction: the Patriots will win.

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