Jacob Fowler Reaches New Milestone As Montreal Canadiens Extend Winning Streak

Montreal rookie goalie Fowler rewrites NHL history vs. St. Louis© Instagram/@jacob_fowler24

Jacob Fowler turned in one of the most remarkable individual goaltending performances in recent Canadiens history on Tuesday night. The 21-year-old stopped all 46 shots he faced as Montreal blanked the St. Louis Blues 2-0, extending the team's winning streak and adding his name to a franchise record book that includes Jacques Plante and Carey Price. Forty-six saves in a shutout. For a goalie still in his rookie season, that is not just a good game. That is a statement.

Fowler's 46-Save Night Places Him Atop NHL History for Young Goalies

According to StatsCentre, Fowler's 46 saves were the most by a Canadiens goalie aged 21 or younger since the NHL began tracking saves in the 1955-56 season. To put that in context, the record had stood unchallenged for decades, with Bill Ranford and Steve Mason previously holding the benchmark at 45.

The full StatsCentre list makes the achievement land even harder:

“Most saves in a shutout by a goalie 21 or younger (since SV tracking began in 1955-56): 46 — Jacob Fowler (Tonight vs STL), 45 — Bill Ranford (BOS, 2/21/1987 vs MNS), 45 — Steve Mason (CBJ, 1/9/09 vs WSH), 45 — Mason (CBJ, 4/9/10 vs DET), 43 — Ranford (BOS, 10/26/86 vs CGY).”

It does not stop there. Fowler's performance also placed him third in all-time Canadiens history for most saves in a shutout, behind only Jacques Plante's 52 in 1955 and Sam Montembeault's 48 against Toronto in October 2024. The full historical list, again from StatsCentre:

“Most saves — #Habs goalie in a reg. season/playoff shutout: 52 — Jacques Plante (11/22/1955 vs CHI), 48 — Sam Montembeault (10/29/2024 vs TOR), 46 — Fowler (Tonight vs the Blues), 45 — Jake Allen (10/28/2021 vs SJ), 43 — Carey Price (4/26/2015 vs OTT), 42 — Three occurrences tied.”

Forty-six shots from the Blues. Not one got through.

Fowler's Numbers Are Making the Goalie Race Impossible to Ignore

Through seven games this season, Fowler holds a 1.54 GAA, a .942 save percentage, and two shutouts. His backup, Jakub Dobes, has struggled significantly, posting a 4.47 GAA and an .847 save percentage.

Those numbers are not close. They are not even in the same conversation.

The Canadiens also have Sam Montembeault currently on the injured reserve. With Fowler performing at this level and Dobes yet to find his footing, some around the team have urged the Canadiens to consider trading Montembeault, who has effectively become surplus depth.

For any franchise carrying three goalies, having a 21-year-old rookie as your undisputed best option sounds like a gamble. Right now in Montreal, it looks like the best problem they have had in years.