Marc Dumont
The Montreal Canadiens decided to call-up rookie netminder Jacob Fowler on Wednesday morning, ahead of their match-up against the Ottawa Senators.
Fowler is set to start versus the Senators, which means veteran netminder Samuel Montembeault has essentially been relegated to the third goalie in the rotation, as Jakub Dobes will serve as the backup on Wednesday night.
“It’s where we are today,” explained St-Louis. “The results are important, and I think it’s the best decision for the game tonight.”
Promoting Fowler from the AHL makes plenty of sense, especially when we consider he gives the Canadiens a better chance of winning than Montembeault, but the fact remains that the timing is a little odd, and it’s less than ideal when discussing Fowler’s long-term development.
Usually, you’d recall a goaltender the night before the game, to give him an opportunity to adapt to his new settings, and mentally prepare for the task ahead.
“We’re a confident group in front of all our goalies,” St-Louis said. “But it’s a decision you take during the season, it’s a back-to-back, and it’s an opportunity for Fowler.”
When pressed about the situation, St-Louis was initially felt comfortable elaborating, but his patience quickly wore thin.
“I won’t answer 40 decisions about goaltenders,” he exclaimed. “Fowler is in the net tonight, it’s the best decision for tonight, for a back-to-back, to win the game.”
When he was reminded it was par for the course to discuss the significant change in the lineup, St-Louis quickly fired back.
“I know, but I won’t answer 40 questions.”
The same media member mentioned they were far from hitting the 40-question mark, to which St-Louis remarked they had already asked five or six questions.
You’ll note St-Louis specifically mentioned “tonight” in the intense scrum, which could lead us to believe that this may not be a long-term solution to the team’s goaltending woes.
Regardless, it’s evident the playoff race in the Eastern Conference has led to an uptick in pressure for most members of the Montreal Canadiens organization.
