Jacob Fowler's 46-Save Shutout Fuels Canadiens Goalie Debate

The Montreal Canadiens may have found their new starting goalie, and Jacob Fowler is making a strong case to keep the job.

The 21-year-old was outstanding Tuesday night, stopping all 46 shots he faced in Montreal's 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues.Fowler faced plenty of pressure throughout the game, especially in the third period. The Blues fired 24 shots at him in the final 20 minutes, but they couldn't find a way to score.

Despite several dangerous chances from St. Louis, Fowler stayed calm and kept Montreal ahead.

Zachary Bolduc scored his fifth goal of the season against his former team in the second period. Florian Xhekaj then scored his first NHL goal early in the third to give Montreal a two-goal lead.

While both goals were important, Fowler was the biggest reason the Canadiens came away with the win.

Is Fowler Already Montreal's Best Option?

Jacob Fowler is quickly showing the Montreal Canadiens that he deserves a regular spot in the NHL. After beginning the season with the Laval Rocket, the 21-year-old has made an impressive jump to the big leagues, putting together a 6-1-0 record with a .942 save percentage and a 1.54 goals-against average. Those numbers are hard to ignore. Fowler has also been among the league's strongest performers in goals saved above expected, showing just how important he's been to Montreal's recent success. His 46-save shutout against the St. Louis Blues was another major step forward, coming after he helped the Canadiens earn a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the Heritage Classic. The pressure of playing in Montreal can be tough for any young goalie, but Fowler appears comfortable in the spotlight. With each strong performance, he's making a bigger case to become the Canadiens' main option in goal, and that could happen sooner than many expected.

Jacob Fowler

Games 61 8

Starts 62 8

Wins 92 7

Shutouts 95 2

Percentile against every ranked NHL player, 2026-27 regular season.

What Happens to Jakub Dobes?

Jacob Fowler's impressive performances have created an interesting situation for Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, who now has a difficult decision to make between his two young goaltenders. While Jakub Dobes has struggled to find consistency this season with a 1-2-2 record, Fowler has continued to deliver strong performances and help Montreal pick up important wins. The Canadiens aren't under pressure to name a permanent starter just yet, especially with two promising goalies competing for the position. Having that kind of depth is a positive sign for a team looking to become a regular playoff contender. Still, Fowler is making a strong case for himself. If he continues playing at this level, it will be increasingly difficult for St. Louis to keep him out of the starting lineup.

Jakub Dobes

Games 49 6

Starts 48 6

Wins 43 2

Shutouts 0 0

Percentile against every ranked NHL player, 2026-27 regular season.

The Canadiens Have Another Big Test Ahead

The Montreal Canadiens will take on the Dallas Stars on Thursday, with one major question surrounding the team: who will get the start in goal? Montreal has managed to keep winning despite missing important players like captain Nick Suzuki and young forward Ivan Demidov. However, Tuesday's victory over St. Louis showed that the Canadiens still have some areas to improve, especially on defence. Allowing 46 shots in a single game is a concern, and Montreal can't expect Fowler to deliver that kind of performance every night. Still, the young goaltender has given the team plenty of reasons to be excited about what lies ahead. Fowler was once considered a long-term option in net, but his recent success suggests he could be ready for a bigger role much sooner than expected. If he continues to perform at this level, head coach Martin St. Louis may have a hard time keeping him out of the starting lineup, potentially opening the door for Fowler to become Montreal's full-time starter.