Canadiens Top Senators 3-2 on Fowler's 32 Saves

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler turned in a standout performance in his return to the NHL lineup, making 32 saves to secure a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night at Canadian Tire Centre. The win marked the Canadiens' third consecutive victory and strengthened their hold on a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Fowler, a 21-year-old rookie recalled earlier in the day from the American Hockey League's Laval Rocket, faced intense pressure in the final minutes, including a point-blank denial of Claude Giroux with just over a minute remaining. That stop, part of a frantic Ottawa push for an equalizer, helped preserve Montreal's lead after Ivan Demidov scored the game-winner at 7:20 of the third period. Demidov, who entered the game in a scoring slump with just three goals in his previous 24 outings, also added an assist to reach 50 points in his rookie season.

The game began with Juraj Slafkovsky opening the scoring for Montreal on a power play at 1:16 of the first period, notching his 16th goal and surpassing Henri Richard for the most points by a Canadiens player before turning 22. Ottawa responded quickly, as Drake Batherson tallied twice in...