The shutout was Fowler’s second of the season and third in the NHL. He has allowed one goal or fewer in each of his past three starts.
Zachary Bolduc scored against his former team, and Florian Xhekaj scored his first NHL goal for the Canadiens (7-3-2), who have won three straight and extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1). Mike Matheson had two assists.
It was Montreal’s first game following a 2-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets in the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic on Sunday.
Jordan Binnington made 18 saves for the Blues (5-6-1), who have been shut out in back-to-back games and have lost two straight after winning the first two of a five-game homestand. St. Louis lost 4-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Right after a Montreal power play expired, Bolduc gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead at 8:37 of the second period when he roofed a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle off Matheson’s pass from the high slot.
Bolduc, acquired from the Blues for defenseman Logan Mailloux on July 1, 2025, scored his first goal against the team that selected him in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft (No. 17) in his third game against St. Louis.
Xhekaj made it 2-0 at 2:17 of the third period after he was able to tip Matheson's wrist shot from the blue line twice. The first deflection went off Binnington before Xhekaj tipped it again once it got behind the Blues goalie. The play was reviewed for a high stick, and the goal was confirmed.
