Canadiens’ Matheson day-to-day, Fowler to start against Flyers

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens will have a big hole to fill with defenceman Mike Matheson out for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Matheson is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the team announced after its morning skate.

The 31-year-old from Pointe-Claire, Que., has four goals and 12 assists in 32 games this season. He also leads the Canadiens with an average ice time of 24 minutes 54 seconds.

Rookie goalie Jacob Fowler will make his third career start — and first in Montreal — after he was recalled from the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket one week ago.

The 21-year-old American made 36 saves in his debut, helping the Canadiens win 4-2 over the Pittsburgh Penguins last Thursday.

He then lost his first game Saturday as Montreal squandered a 3-0 lead in a 5-4 overtime defeat to the New York Rangers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2025.

The Canadian Press