Overview
- The Canadiens will start rookie Jacob Fowler at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night as they seek a sixth straight win with captain Nick Suzuki still out.
- Fowler has been exceptional this season, holding an 8-1-1 record with a 1.84 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage that has stabilized Montreal's lineup.
- The Jets have lost nine straight games after a 7-0 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes, a skid that has intensified scrutiny of their compete level and execution.
- Winnipeg's team save percentage has dropped sharply in Connor Hellebuyck's absence, and the club has not confirmed a starter after Stuart Skinner was pulled; Nico Daws and Clay Stevenson are among the projected options.
- Coach Scott Arniel has publicly singled out consistency and compete on pucks as the team's biggest issues, and the goaltending uncertainty could affect Winnipeg's short-term results and roster decisions.