Canadiens Notes: Impressive Weekend

The Montreal Canadiens return to the ice on Monday at the CN Sports Complex in preparation to host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Immediately following the game against their division rivals, they will jump on a plane for a quick trip to Washington to face the Capitals on Wednesday.

Playing at the Bell Centre hasn’t brought results: the Canadiens have only three wins in their last 11 home games. Montreal won two of eight at home during last season’s playoff run, and Saturday was the first victory in three attempts this year.

Is it Jacob Fowler’s Time?

Jacob Fowler was impressive in Saturday’s 1-0 shootout win against the Detroit Red Wings. He stopped all 30 shots during 65 minutes and all six shootout attempts to earn his second career shutout. Martin St. Louis’ decision to give Fowler the net for a second consecutive match triggered discussions amongst fans and observers.

On Thursday, Fowler allowed three goals on 18 shots in the 5-2 loss against the Nashville Predators. While the stat sheet for the night doesn’t look pretty, you can’t pin that loss on the goaltending. He wasn’t spectacular either. Many expected Jakub Dobes to get the start on Saturday.

Fowler began the season with the Laval Rocket. The business side definitely influenced management’s decision. Last year, Fowler finished the season in the NHL, after the team ended Samuel Montembeault’s season due to poor performances. While there was a general consensus externally that Dobes and Fowler would form this season’s tandem, management completed no summer transactions to move Montembeault.

The 21‑year‑old felt disappointed to start the year in Laval, but he didn’t show it on the ice. He started two games in under 24 hours, and had 1.53 goals against average and .945 save percentage.

Montembeault’s injury opened the door for Fowler’s return to Montreal, and he delivered two good starts. In the view of some, Dobes last two starts have been average. He has not looked as confident as he did during last season’s playoff run. The general expectation is that both goalies will split the back‑to‑back games this week.

Last year, the team was heavily criticized for repeatedly turning to Montembeault despite poor starts in hopes of getting him going instead of riding the hot Dobes. Will they change their approach this year if Fowler keeps performing?

Rocket Notes

The Laval Rocket were on the road for the first time this season over the weekend. On Saturday, the Rocket defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida Panthers) 5-2 despite a struggling 1-for-7 power play. On Sunday, they bounced back after allowing the first goal to the Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers) and extended their win streak to three games with 5-2 victory.

The road trip continues this weekend with a back-to-back against the Belleville Senators (Ottawa) on Friday, and the Utica Comets (New Jersey Devils) on Saturday.

Here are some notes from this weekend.

Luke Mittelstadt left a good impression during training camp and it’s carried over to the start of his first full year as a pro. Coach Daniel Jacob is trusting him in all situations including on the top power play and penalty kill units. Over the weekend, he scored twice and added two assists to bring his total to seven points in the last three games.
Habs fans appreciate Owen Protz for the physicality in his tool box. On Friday, Protz dropped his gloves for the first time in the AHL against veteran Dylan Peterson. While his effort was appreciated by his teammates, Peterson got the edge.
Tyler Thorpe did not play this weekend due to an undisclosed injury. He left the October 3rd game after his second fight in two days against Syracuse.
Reilly Walsh is producing offensively in this early season. Walsh finished third last season amongst defencemen in the KHL with 46 points in 68 games. He has two goals and three assists in the last three contests with the Canadiens affiliate.
Alex Belzile left Sunday’s game during the first period with an undisclosed injury.