Fowler Makes 26 Saves as Canadiens Defeat Maple Leafs 4-2

Jacob Fowler made 26 saves to secure a 4-2 victory for the Montreal Canadiens against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena.

The win brought Fowler to an 8-1-1 record on the season, accompanied by a 2.15 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. Alex Newhook opened the scoring with the game’s opening goal to stake Montreal to an early lead.

Toronto mounted a response in the third period when William Nylander scored on a power play, followed swiftly by an 18-year-old rookie’s goal. Gavin McKenna beat the goaltender just 55 seconds later to narrow the gap to 3-2, as reported by The Canadian Press. McKenna found himself benched for the remainder of the second period after a costly turnover earlier in the game.

I knew I was gonna probably sit for that one, McKenna said regarding his second-period miscue. My teammates, in the second intermission, came in and talked to me, and head coach Jim Hiller pulled me aside and talked to me. He said he was gonna get me out there again, which felt good. I appreciated that from him, and honestly, it fired me up. Just an unfortunate bounce.

Teammate William Nylander noted the youngster’s resilience after the bounce-back effort. Obviously doesn’t want to make that turnover, Nylander said. He realizes it when he makes the play … it’s great for him to come back and get a huge goal. Sometimes that happens.

Montreal sealed the contest later in the third period when Zack Bolduc wired a one-timer off the post and in to restore a two-goal cushion at 4-2. The Maple Leafs played the final moments with a six-on-two advantage after pulling their goaltender while Montreal skaters Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach defended without sticks. Fowler turned away late pressure, including a final stop on Jack Roslovic, to preserve the victory.

The defeat left Toronto with an 8-8-2 record through November 7, 2026, matching their mark at the same stage of the previous season. Veteran defenceman Chris Tanev assessed the team’s ongoing struggles after the final horn. We need to do it for 60 minutes, and we’ve been saying that for a long time now, Tanev said.

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