Call of the Wilde: Jacob Fowler with a sparkling 46-save shutout as the Montreal Canadiens win a third straight defeating the St. Louis Blues

Goaltender Jacob Fowler recorded a 46-save shutout to guide the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Playing without injured top-six forwards Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov, head coach Martin St. Louis earned a third straight win behind Fowler's stellar play in net. Zachary Bolduc opened the scoring against his former team, and rookie Florian Xhekaj tipped in a Mike Matheson shot for his first NHL goal.

Brian Wilde argues that Fowler has become Montreal's premier defensive asset while leading the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected. Wilde notes that despite Fowler's heroics, Montreal's 28th-ranked power play remains deeply flawed without its primary stars and requires better puck-handlers like Alexandre Texier. The column also highlights the success of the Laval Rocket, led by rookie defender Luke Mittelstadt.