MONTREAL – Goaltender Jacob Fowler will start for the Montreal Canadiens in their Saturday matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, as announced by head coach Pascal Vincent, marking a notable opportunity within a week featuring a rotating schedule of three goaltenders - including Mikus Vecvanags and Arseni Radkov.
The decision highlights a strategic approach to managing goaltending duties during a four-game stretch at the Bell Centre, hosting a series of pre-season contests against the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. Vincent has yet to detail the workload distribution beyond Fowler’s start, leaving the roles of Vecvanags and Radkov for later games undefined. This comes as the Canadiens evaluate their goaltending depth ahead of the upcoming NHL season.
Fowler’s selection underscores the team’s investment in developing young talent, providing a high-stakes platform for the prospect to demonstrate his capabilities against NHL competition.The weekend schedule at the Bell Centre includes: Senators versus Maple Leafs on saturday at 1 p.m.; Jets versus Canadiens on Saturday at 7 p.m.; Maple Leafs versus Canadiens on Sunday at 3 p.m.; and Jets versus Senators on Sunday at 7 p.m. All times are local.
The team is utilizing the pre-season games to assess player performance and solidify roster positions before the regular season begins. The evaluation process extends beyond Fowler, encompassing Vecvanags and Radkov as they compete for playing time and a potential place on the Canadiens’ roster. The games offer a crucial opportunity for each goaltender to showcase their skills and contribute to the team’s overall assessment.
