HabsInHighHeels just reported that Jacob Fowler will start for the Canadiens in Boston tomorrow night.
The Canadiens haven't made it official, and the report comes from a single league-wide account, so treat it as the latest word, not a confirmed lineup. Thursday's game at TD Garden pits Montreal, second in the Atlantic, against the division-leading Bruins.
HabsInHighHeels posted that Fowler will get the start Thursday night in Boston.
That doesn't match what another account was expecting this morning. Dans Les Coulisses saw Jakub Dobes take the majority of the work in practice and figured he'd face the Bruins, since he hasn't played since last Thursday and it was his turn.
So the reports conflict, and Fowler's name is the more recent one. Fowler was in net Tuesday against Minnesota, stopping 22 of 24 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss. He has 11 appearances this season, Dobes has 7.
Going back to Fowler two days after that start, with a rested Dobes available, would be a statement from Martin St-Louis. It would also put a 21-year-old in the crease at one of the loudest rooms in the East. The coach's official word is still to come.
How the Bruins line up against a hot Canadiens team
Boston has its own crease question to answer. Jeremy Swayman was in net for the 4-1 win over the Panthers on Sunday, his 13th appearance of the season.
Swayman and Michael DiPietro both practiced today, and Boston's starter for Thursday hasn't been confirmed. Marco Sturm hasn't tipped his hand.
The Bruins arrive at 13-4-1, with a 8-1-0 record at home and four straight wins. Montreal comes in 7-0-3 over its last 10, so nobody is walking into this one soft.
It's also Homecoming night in Boston. Charlie McAvoy is excited about the Northeastern Pep Band, according to the beat posts, and Belle Fraser's practice report passed along the message in the room: "you're here to grab two points against a very good opponent."
Both teams will know their goalies by puck drop Thursday. Until then, the Canadiens' crease is a coin flip between a 21-year-old who played Tuesday and a rested Dobes.
Quick hits
PHILADELPHIA FLYERSCharlie O'Connor shared the Flyers' morning skate lines in Edmonton, and Matvei Michkov is on the third line tonight. That's a notable spot for a player the Flyers usually want driving offense.
CALGARY FLAMESJonathan Huberdeau and Sam Honzek were full participants in the Flames' morning skate Wednesday, according to Ryan Pike. Good sign for Calgary's forward group.
EDMONTON OILERSDave Staples reports a top-six Oilers winger is heading to the minors for injury rehab. The name isn't in the post, so keep an eye on the lineup in Edmonton.
OTTAWA SENATORSNick Cousins is out a week to 10 days after the Jakob Chychrun hit, Bruce Garrioch reported this morning. That's a manageable timeline for Ottawa's bottom six.
DALLAS STARSRobert Tiffin reports no sign of Miro Heiskanen at Stars practice today, one day before Dallas hosts the Jets. His status is the one to watch.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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