Montreal Canadiens make major roster decision after Samuel Montembeault injury

The team made the announcement in the early evening, only hours after the veteran netminder appeared to hurt his right leg during a drill.

The club has not revealed the severity of the issue, and further updates are expected Thursday. Montembeault was seen putting very little weight on the leg as he made his way to the locker room.

Calling up a second goalie so quickly suggests Montreal wants a safety net in place rather than gambling on a quick recovery.

The timing matters. Montembeault beat out Fowler for an opening roster spot, yet he has not appeared in any of Montreal's three games.

Jakub Dobes, meanwhile, has surrendered 12 goals across his last two outings, which leaves the crease far from settled heading into a home date with the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

Fowler already has NHL experience, having gone 9-6-2 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average in 17 games for Montreal last season.

He opened this year back in the AHL, where he has been sharp, posting a .945 save percentage and a 1.53 goals-against average in two appearances for the Rocket.

Because Montreal needs two healthy goalies for Thursday's game, the move is a practical necessity as much as a statement.

Fowler could simply back up Dobes, though a first start of the season is a real possibility given how rough Dobes has looked lately.

Who will start against the Predators has not been announced, and Montembeault's status remains the biggest unknown. Detroit visits the Bell Centre on Saturday, so Montreal will need clarity quickly.

If the injury proves minor, the Canadiens will face a crowded crease again. If it lingers, Fowler has a golden chance to seize a bigger role and remind management why he is viewed as the franchise's goalie of the future.

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