Jacob Fowler Gives the Canadiens Reasons to Rethink Their

Something interesting is happening in Montreal's crease, and it has less to do with one good game than with what Jacob Fowler is making possible. The 21-year-old stopped 20 of 21 shots in Friday's 4–1 win over Chicago. That was his fourth straight victory, and his numbers through five starts are encouraging: a 4–1–0 record, a 1.94 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

Those are good numbers for any goalie. For a young netminder trying to establish himself with the Canadiens, they could mean something more.

Fowler Is Making the Decision Interesting

Montreal has been alternating Fowler with Jakub Dobes, who has struggled early in the season. Fowler has started three of the Canadiens' last five games, and he's making it harder to assume that the rotation should continue simply because it was the original plan.

That's what I find interesting. Coaches make plans for good reasons, but hockey has a way of changing them. A goalie gets hot, a teammate struggles, and suddenly the question isn't what the coaching staff intended. It's what gives the team the best chance to win the next game.

Fowler hasn't played enough to settle that question for the long term. Five starts are five starts. The NHL can be a humbling place for young goaltenders, and a difficult stretch can arrive just as quickly as a good one.

Still, a coach has to respond to what he's seeing. Fowler is winning games, keeping the goals-against number down and giving Montreal a reason to consider handing him another start.

What Happens When Opportunity Knocks?

The Canadiens visit Winnipeg on Sunday, and Martin St. Louis faces an interesting decision. Does he continue alternating his goalies, or does he give Fowler a chance to run with the job for a little while? I'd be inclined to give the youngster another opportunity, provided the coaching staff believes his play and preparation support it. That isn't a declaration that Dobes has lost his chance. It's simply recognizing that competition should mean something.

For a young goalie, trust matters. So does knowing that a good performance can lead to another opportunity rather than an automatic return to the bench. Montreal doesn't have to decide today who its long-term number one will be. But Fowler is making a case that deserves attention.

Fowler’s Success Could Change the Canadiens Fortunes.

Sometimes a team discovers its next dependable goaltender through a carefully managed plan. Sometimes the player forces the plan to change.

Fowler hasn't proved everything yet. He's given the Canadiens a good reason to keep watching, though. And on a team trying to build something lasting, that's a pretty useful development.