Fowler posts first shutout in 4-0 win, Canadiens hand Penguins eighth straight loss

MONTREAL — Jacob Fowler made 31 saves for his first shutout in his fourth career start as the Montreal Canadiens rolled over the slumping Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0 in the first game of a home-and-home series on Saturday night.

Josh Anderson scored twice, including an empty-netter, and Owen Beck tallied his first NHL goal for Montreal (19-12-4). Juraj Slafkovsky also scored as the Canadiens won their second in a row.

Stuart Skinner — with fans taunting “Ski-ner!” all night — stopped 17 shots in his second start for Pittsburgh (14-11-9) as the Penguins lost their eighth consecutive game.

Skinner allowed five goals on 22 shots in a 6-4 loss to Edmonton in his Pittsburgh debut Tuesday after being acquired from the Oilers.

For the second straight game, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby remained at 1,722 career points, one shy of idol and mentor Mario Lemieux for the all-time franchise lead.

Slafkovsky, after keeping the play alive with a stick-check in the offensive zone, ripped a shot into the top corner off a pass from Cole Caufield on the power play to open the scoring at 16:41 of the first period.

Beck doubled the lead with 1:11 remaining in the period after blowing by a falling Parker Wotherspoon and firing a shot over Skinner’s left shoulder.

In the second period, Anderson buried a short-handed goal on a breakaway at 12:14. Oliver Kapanen intercepted a centring pass from Bryan Rust before sending Anderson in alone.

TAKEAWAYS

Canadiens: Fowler was calm and collected in front of a team that limited Pittsburgh’s Grade A chances. Montreal centre Jake Evans exited in the first period following a knee-on-knee collision with Pittsburgh’s Justin Brazeau and did not return.

Penguins: Pittsburgh was shut out for the second consecutive game after losing 4-0 against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

KEY MOMENT

Beck finally scored his first goal 21 games into his career after having multiple opportunities denied. The 21-year-old rookie had one goal overturned last week against the Penguins, and thought he’d scored Thursday against Chicago before it was awarded to Noah Dobson.

KEY STAT

Lane Hutson became the fastest defenceman in Canadiens history to hit 100 career points, reaching the mark in 119 games. The reigning Calder Trophy winner has 10 points in his last six games.

UP NEXT

The Canadiens and Penguins square off again in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2025.