The scoreboard glowed mercilessly in the gloom of the Bell Centre: 6-1, Lightning. The final horn had barely faded when a different kind of storm began to brew—not on the ice, but behind the scenes. In the tunnel, faces were tight, voices low, and somewhere in the shadows, Kent Hughes was already reaching for the phone.

It was the kind of night that changes everything. The Canadiens, battered and bewildered, had just surrendered ten goals in two games. The buzz in the stands was no longer hopeful, but restless, almost electric with uncertainty. The team’s recent hot streak—a string of five wins in seven games—felt suddenly distant, erased by the cold efficiency of Tampa Bay’s attack and the unrelenting pressure that comes with being a contender in the Atlantic Division.

But what happened next wasn’t just a reaction—it was a statement. The Canadiens didn’t wait for the morning. They didn’t wait for the dust to settle. Instead, they threw open the gates and sent three rising stars thundering up from Laval: Jacob Fowler, Owen Beck, and Adam Engstrom. It was a move that sent shockwaves through the locker room and a clear message to every player: no one is untouchable, and the future is knocking on the door.

Jacob Fowler arrives first, his journey from college standout to professional goaltender already the stuff of locker room legend. At just 21, he’s barely had time to unpack in Laval, yet his numbers—ten wins, three shutouts, a goals-against average that whispers promise—have forced the Canadiens to take notice. Tonight, his recall isn’t just about stats. It’s about sending a signal: Montreal’s net is open for business, and the competition just got real.

Owen Beck, the center with speed to burn and a knack for clutch plays, has been quietly building his case in the AHL. Eleven points in twenty-one games, flashes of brilliance, and a hunger that can’t be measured on a scoresheet. For Beck, this call-up is more than a second chance—it’s the crossroads where potential meets pressure, and where a young player must decide if he’s ready to claim a permanent place.

On defense, Adam Engstrom is the wild card. At 22, his offensive instincts have made him one of Laval’s top threats, but it’s his composure under fire that has drawn the eyes of the big club. Engstrom’s recall isn’t just about plugging a hole—it’s about testing the limits of Montreal’s depth, and seeing who can rise when the stakes are highest.

Three moves, one message: the Canadiens are done waiting. As the city sleeps, a new chapter is already unfolding—one that could reshape the roster, redefine the season, and reveal which young stars are ready to seize their moment. The only question that remains is whether Fowler, Beck, and Engstrom can turn emergency into opportunity, and help Montreal find its heartbeat again after a night that shook the cage.

Photo of Jacob Fowler, Cole Caufield and Martin St-Louis

Photo credit: Montreal Gazetter

A 6-1 loss, and Kent Hughes just shook the cage. The Canadiens shifted into emergency mode tonight.

On Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, the Lightning punished the Canadiens with a 6-1 victory, taking advantage of a rough outing for both Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault. Dobes allowed three goals on 14 shots before being pulled, and Montembeault also gave up three goals on 13 shots.

Adding the four goals surrendered against the Blues on Sunday, Montreal has now allowed 10 goals in its last two games. Yet the team was coming off five wins in its previous seven contests and still sat in the top group of the Atlantic Division with 33 points before facing Tampa Bay.

It’s in this context that general manager Kent Hughes chose the hardline approach: calling up Jacob Fowler in goal, Owen Beck at center, and Adam Engstrom on defense. Three players who were dominating with the Laval Rocket and are now arriving as reinforcements with the big club.

“The Canadiens have recalled Owen Beck, Adam Engstrom and Jacob Fowler from the Laval Rocket.”

– Montreal Canadiens

Jacob Fowler arrives with a message

Fowler, 21, has only just begun his first true full season in the pros. The American goaltender, drafted in the third round, signed a three-year entry-level contract covering the 2025-2026 to 2027-2028 seasons after being named Hockey East Goaltender of the Year. In Laval this season, he holds a 10-5 record with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in 14 games, including three shutouts.

As for Owen Beck, the 21-year-old center is producing well offensively for the Rocket. He has 11 points, including 3 goals, in 21 AHL games, although he sits at -3. In his NHL career with the Canadiens, he has 1 point in 13 games, and he now gets another opportunity to establish himself for good.

On defense, Adam Engstrom continues his rapid rise. At 22, the left-shot defenseman has 5 goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 19 games with Laval, placing him among the team’s top scorers. He has already had a taste of the NHL earlier this season, rewarded with a first call-up after a strong start to the year.

With three call-ups at once, the message is clear: no one is safe, and the organization’s depth will be tested immediately. It remains to be seen whether Fowler, Beck, and Engstrom will seize this chance to establish themselves and help the Canadiens turn the page on this rough night against Tampa Bay.