Ice Chips: Fowler Likely to Start as Hart Activated for Golden Knights
Jacob fowler will likely get the start in net Thursday as the Montreal Canadiens take on the New York Rangers in the fourth contest of their five-game road trip. The 21-year-old rookie last started on Saturday in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators and has started 14 games this season with a 7-5-2 record, a 2. 59 goals-against average and a. 903 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights will activate Carter Hart and give him the start tonight against the Calgary Flames, a roster move confirmed at practice.
Key details and immediate lineup impact
For the Canadiens, benching and rotation in goal have been active: Jakub Dobes earned starts in the past two wins over the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, while fowler remains the likely option against the Rangers on Thursday. The fowler rookie profile — 14 starts, 7-5-2, 2. 59 GAA,.903 save percentage — frames Montreal’s short-term plan as the club navigates a dense road trip.
In Las Vegas, Carter Hart’s return to the lineup ends an extended absence at the NHL level. Hart’s last NHL start came on January 8th, when he exited with a lower-body injury. In 12 starts this season he has posted a 5-3-3 record with a 3. 28 goals-against average and an. 871 save percentage. The Golden Knights’ decision to activate Hart and hand him the start tonight against the Flames changes immediate crease assignments for that club.
Fowler, Hart: Coaches react
“Carter and I have a really good relationship, ” John Tortorella, head coach, Golden Knights, said at practice. “He’s become a really good pro and I love the kid. I think he has a good heart, no pun intended. ”
On locker-room adjustments, Tortorella added: “I don’t think we need to tap into anything. With a veteran team and where we’re at in the standings right now we don’t need to tap into anything else than worrying about ourselves and take it each day at a time. ” John Tortorella, head coach, Golden Knights, connected Hart’s activation to the club’s immediate approach as he returns to take the crease tonight.
Quick context
Hart was placed on long-term injured reserve on Feb. 24 and began skating two weeks ago before being cleared to return. The Canadiens have rotated goalies through their recent stretch, with Jakub Dobes starting the last two wins while Montreal manages workload on the five-game road trip.
What’s next
Watch tonight’s matchup in Las Vegas for how Hart settles back into starts after his January exit, and check Thursday’s Rangers-Canadiens game to see if fowler takes the net and how Montreal’s rotation responds. Teams will monitor each goalie’s save percentage and goals-against trends through these starts as immediate crease decisions ripple across both clubs. Update current as of April 2, 2026 at 11: 12 AM ET.
