Fowler allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Canadiens' loss to Ducks last Sunday. Since coming back from the AHL, Fowler has gone 1-1-0 while allowing six goals on 62 shots (.903 SV%). For the season, he's 5-5-2 with a 2.69 GAA, .902 SV% and one shutout in 12 games with the Habs. Tonight he'll face the Islanders on home-ice, where Montreal are -127 favourites.
Dobes has had a wildly inconsistent season with Montreal, but appears to be riding a hot streak and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old Czech goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. He has a 2.27 GAA and .914 SV% in his last four games (3-1-0). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favourites against a Red Wings team coming off a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
Anderson scored a goal in his previous outing, ending a nine-game goalless drought, but seemingly suffering an upper-body injury and will be sidelined day-to-day. The 31-year-old Anderson is averaging 14:11 time-on-ice, recording 22 points (13G / 9A), 78 shots, and 112 hits in 61 games this season.
The Canadiens have alternated goalies in recent games, but after a loss with Jacob Fowler, they will turn to Dobes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Dobes is coming off a loss as well, but has played serviceably since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 3.04 GAA and .887 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -156 home favourites against a Bruins team that lost 4-3 to the New Jersey Devils in overtime last night.
Jayden Struble will return to Montreal's lineup on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, sending Xhekaj back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:16 time-on-ice, recording two points (1G / 1A), 108 penalty minutes, and 149 hits in 55 games this season.
Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Struble to re-enter the lineup against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Struble is averaging 13:42 time-on-ice and has nine assists in 43 games this season.
With Kirby Dach (upper body) expected be out for two-to-four weeks, Bolduc will draw into the lineup as his replacement on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 23-year-old Bolduc has been effective at time offensively this season, scoring 26 points (10G / 16A) in 64 games. He has four points (0G / 4A) in his last eight games.
Dach exited Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 1:13 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and did not return. The 25-year-old forward has battled a myriad of injuries in his young career, so any time he is unable to play is always extra concerning. That said, the worst-case scenario seems to have been avoided, as Dach will seemingly make a push to return before the end of the season. Dach has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 32 games this season.
Dach exited Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 1:13 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and did not return. The 25-year-old forward has battled a myriad of injuries in his young career, so any time he is unable to play is always extra concerning. Dach has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 32 games this season. An update should be provided before Montreal returns to action on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.
Mittelstadt was a seventh-round pick of the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft who has been awarded an entry-level contract after impressing at the collegiate level. The 23-year-old defenseman had 21 points (2G / 19A) in 36 games with the University of Minnesota this season.
After a tremendous performance by Jacob Fowler in Ottawa's previous game, a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, the Canadiens will return to Dobes, who has also performed well in recent outings. The 24-year-old Dobes saved 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%) in his most recent contest, a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has a 2.00 GAA and .930 SV% in his last two games (2-0-0).
Caufield was limited to 10:27 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, leaving the game due to an illness, and subsequently missing Wednesday's game against the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Caufield is pacing for career-bests in all major offensive categories this season, scoring 64 points (37G / 27A) through 63 games and appears ready to rejoin the team for Saturday's game against the San Jose Sharks.
Caufield was limited to 10:27 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, leaving the game due to an illness, and will be unavailable on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Caufield is pacing for career-bests in all major offensive categories this season, scoring 64 points (37G / 27A) through 63 games.
