PITTSBURGH – Jacob Fowler will make his first NHL start as the Montreal Canadiens look to solve their goaltending woes Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Fowler, widely viewed by fans as Montreal’s goalie of the future, has a 10-5-0 record, .919 save percentage and 2.09 goals-against average in 15 games as a rookie this season with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket.

The Canadiens (15-11-3) recalled the 21-year-old American on Tuesday night after losing 6-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning at home. They sat fourth in the Atlantic Division, two points outside a playoff spot, heading into the matchup against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.

Montreal’s goaltending situation has been a major storyline with the Canadiens struggling to get a save.

Sam Montembeault, the incumbent

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