Montembeault injured, Fowler recalled: Canadiens morning report

There hasn’t been a game for the Canadiens in the last 36 hours, but the team still absorbed an early-season blow in goal. Samuel Montembeault was injured at practice on Wednesday, leaving the ice after a save attempt and favouring his right leg as he headed to the dressing room.

Montembeault sidelined, Fowler called up

To react quickly to the situation in net, the Canadiens recalled goaltender Jacob Fowler from the Laval Rocket. The young netminder joins the big club on the eve of a significant home date at the Bell Centre. Based on the information available, no further details have been provided on Montembeault’s condition beyond the fact he was hurt on a save and left practice favouring his right side.

The move inevitably changes the dynamic in goal around the Habs, who are trying to build on a 1-1-1 start. With 3 points in 3 games, Montreal sits 7th in the Atlantic Division, a position that doesn’t leave much room for an extended stumble this early in the schedule.

Predators visit and a Bell Centre first for Trudeau

The next test comes quickly: the Nashville Predators visit the Bell Centre on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. It will mark former Canadiens prospect William Trudeau’s first regular-season game at the Bell Centre, but in the visitors’ colours. Five years after being drafted by Montreal, the defenceman has earned a spot with the Predators and is gearing up for a special return in front of the Montreal crowd.

Beyond the standings implications, Nashville’s visit will carry a hint of "what might have been" with Trudeau on the other side. It will also be a first look at how the Canadiens manage their goaltending picture without Montembeault, as Fowler steps into the mix.

Canadiens history meets jazz in new graphic novel

Off the ice, the team’s history continues to inspire. Cartoonist Philippe Girard has released "Les fantômes du Forum," a 168-page graphic novel that intertwines Montreal Canadiens history with the golden age of jazz. It’s another reminder of how deeply the Habs are woven into Montreal’s cultural life, well beyond what happens between the boards.