The struggling Montreal Canadiens are hoping an influx of young talent can help get them back on track.
Goalie Jacob Fowler and forwards Adam Engstrom and Owen Beck were recalled from the Laval Rocket of the AHL, the team announced on Tuesday. The move came shortly after a 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Canadiens' third loss in their past five games.
Fowler is one of Montreal's top prospects, and in a position of dire need as Habs netminders Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes have both struggled this season.
Montembeault, who entered the season as the No. 1 goalie, owned a 3.65 goals-against average and an .857 save percentage entering Tuesday's contest against Tampa Bay.
On the other hand, Dobes posted a 3.15 GAA and an .887 save percentage this season. The 24-year-old was pulled vs. the Lightning after allowing three goals on 14 shots, while Montembeault conceded three goals on 13 shots in relief.
Fowler, 21, has been stellar for Laval this season. Through 15 games, the 2023 third-round pick recorded a 2.09 GAA, .919 save percentage and a league-best three shutouts.
Up front, the 22-year-old Engstrom heads back to the big club after playing in two games earlier in the season, where he failed to register a point.
The 2022 third-rounder scored five goals and added 11 assists through 20 games with the Rocket this season after registering 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) through 66 games last year.
Similar to Engstrom, Beck has also appeared in two games with the Canadiens this year, going pointless. The 21-year-old made his NHL debut last season, logging an assist in 12 games.
This season, Beck has 11 points (three goals, eights assist) in 22 contests.
