canadiens vs senators

Canadiens vs Senators: A High-Stakes Showdown at Canadian Tire Centre

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators are set for another electric clash at the Canadian Tire Centre this Wednesday, March 13, 2024, with both teams vying for crucial points in the heated NHL Atlantic Division race. But what makes tonight’s matchup particularly compelling isn’t just the rivalry or the standings—it’s the unexpected twist in goalie rotation that has fans buzzing across Canada.

In a surprising move, the Canadiens have recalled goaltender Jacob Fowler from their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, and announced he will start between the pipes against the Senators. This decision comes amid ongoing injury concerns for Carey Price, who remains day-to-day with an undisclosed lower-body issue, and Samuel Montembeault, who is currently nursing a groin strain. With the team fighting to stay relevant in playoff contention, every save matters—and Fowler’s inclusion adds a layer of unpredictability to an already tense game.

Recent Developments: The Fowler Factor

According to verified reports from Yahoo Sports Canada, Sportsnet, and the official NHL.com site, Jacob Fowler was officially recalled from Laval on March 11, 2024. Multiple trusted sources confirm that the 22-year-old netminder will make his second career NHL start tonight. His last appearance came back in December 2023 when he played sparingly in a loss to the New Jersey Devils.

Fowler, a former third-round pick (69th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, has impressed in the AHL this season, posting a .927 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average over 18 games with the Rocket. While his sample size in the NHL is small, his development trajectory and recent strong play in Montreal’s minor-league system suggest the organization sees him as a potential long-term solution in goal.

“We believe Jacob gives us a real chance tonight,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis in a post-practice interview on Tuesday. “He’s been consistent down there, and we trust his preparation.”

Meanwhile, Ottawa enters the contest riding high on momentum. The Senators are currently on a nine-game point streak (7-1-2), boasting the NHL’s fourth-best Corsi For percentage and second in expected goals percentage. Led by captain Brady Tkachuk and flanked by Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson, Ottawa’s offense has been relentless, averaging 3.35 goals per game—just behind Montreal’s league-leading 3.54 mark.

But defense remains a key differentiator. The Senators have allowed only 2.08 goals per game during their hot stretch, anchored by goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who’s posted a .918 SV% since being acquired at the trade deadline. Injuries, however, loom large: star defenseman Jake Sanderson remains sidelined indefinitely due to a lower-body ailment, forcing Nikolas Matinpalo into a top-four role alongside Nick Jensen.

Historical Context: More Than Just Rivalry

While the Canadiens–Senators rivalry may not carry the same mythic weight as the Original Six matchups, it’s far from meaningless. Dating back to Ottawa’s re-entry into the NHL in 1992, these two franchises have traded punches across the board, often serving as barometers for each other’s organizational health.

Montreal, of course, represents everything the NHL once stood for—glory, tradition, and a legacy built over a century. Yet under new ownership and management since 2010, the club has languished through multiple rebuilding phases. The current roster blends young talent like Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský, and Kaiden Guhle with aging veterans such as Nick Suzuki and Mike Hoffman.

Ottawa, meanwhile, has oscillated between playoff hopefuls and cellar dwellers. After reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, the Senators endured years of mediocrity before launching a youth-driven rebuild centered around players like Tkachuk, Stützle, and Thomas Chabot. Though injuries and inconsistent goaltending have hampered progress, the core remains intact—and now sits atop the Atlantic Division.

Historically, these teams meet four times per season, with home-ice advantage alternating annually. So far this year, Ottawa holds a 2–1 edge, including a decisive 6–2 win at home on November 28. That victory featured a hat trick from Stützle and three assists from Tkachuk, underscoring how dangerous this lineup can be when firing on all cylinders.

Yet Montreal has won the last two meetings at the Bell Centre, including a 4–3 overtime triumph in January where Caufield netted the winner in the final minute. That game also saw the return of rookie phenom Xavier Bourgault, whose chemistry with Slafkovský continues to evolve.

Tonight’s contest marks the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the clubs. With both teams separated by just five points in the division standings—Ottawa holding a slim 34-18-10 record compared to Montreal’s 33-19-11—this game could prove pivotal come spring.

Immediate Effects: Playoff Implications and Fan Sentiment

For Montreal, tonight isn’t just about two points—it’s about validating a shaky season. At 78 points, the Canadiens sit just outside the top three in the Atlantic, clinging to wildcard hopes despite a sub-.500 record against divisional opponents (11-8-1). Their road form hasn’t helped: they’ve gone 17-7-8 away from home, but those wins came mostly against weaker Eastern Conference teams.

A loss here would further dim playoff dreams and likely accelerate calls for sweeping changes. Already, speculation surrounds whether St. Louis will retain his job beyond this season—a rarity for coaches facing tanking expectations. Meanwhile, general manager Kent Hughes faces mounting pressure to either commit to the rebuild or make aggressive trades before the March 8 deadline.

For Ottawa, success extends beyond pride. A win keeps them firmly in second place, potentially setting up favorable matchups in the first round of the playoffs. More importantly, it reinforces confidence in Korpisalo, who’s struggled with consistency since joining from Boston. If he can contain Montreal’s potent top line—especially if Cole Caufield returns after missing several games due to illness—the Senators could dominate.

Fan reactions reflect the stakes. In Ottawa, social media lit up after the announcement of Fowler starting. “Fowler? Seriously?” tweeted one die-hard fan. “Price should be healthy by now.” Others defended the decision: “He earned his shot. Let’s see what he’s got.”

In Montreal, emotions run higher. “Finally giving the kids a chance!” cheered a supporter outside the Bell Centre. “Caufield needs to step up too.” Indeed, questions swirl around whether the 23-year-old winger will suit up tonight. He’s listed as questionable with a lingering upper-body injury but participated fully in Tuesday’s practice, raising hopes he’ll play.

Future Outlook: What’s Next?

Looking ahead, tonight’s game serves as both a checkpoint and a crossroads. For Montreal, a strong performance from Fowler could signal a shift toward trusting younger goaltenders sooner rather than later. It might also embolden Hughes to pursue more high-upside prospects instead of mid-tier rentals at the deadline.

Conversely, a lopsided loss risks accelerating a full-scale reset. Rumors persist about potential trades involving Suzuki or Slafkovský, though neither GM has confirmed interest. One insider noted off-record that Hughes “won’t panic,” but added, “If we’re out of the race by April, expect movement.”

For Ottawa, maintaining focus amid fatigue is key. As the second leg of a back-to-back, travel and emotional intensity could take tolls. But with Tkachuk leading by example—he’s logged nearly 21 minutes per game this month—the Senators appear primed to weather adversity.

Ultimately, this isn’t just another regular-season tilt. It’s a referendum on identity: Is Montreal still a contender or merely a collection of promising pieces? And is Ottawa finally ready to shed its perennial “almost there” label?

As puck drop approaches at 7:30 p.m. ET, one thing is certain: the Canadian Tire Centre will buzz with energy. Fans from both sides know history favors neither team equally—but tonight, momentum could rewrite the narrative.

Stay tuned to CA sports coverage for live updates, postgame analysis, and exclusive interviews following the Canadiens vs. Senators showdown.