Habs Daily: Reinbacher Watch, Playoff Chances, Fowler Top Goalie

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Friday.

Montreal Canadiens News

David Reinbacher was back at practice, again. I know, I know, we’ve been down this road too many times already. He’s having a hard time recovering from nagging injuries, but Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent doesn’t seem worried. The plan is to give Reinbacher as much time as possible, for precautionary reasons. [Patient Is In Order For Canadiens Prospect David Reinbacher]

REIN😊 pic.twitter.com/w6mBRS0LBs

— xy – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) April 11, 2025

The Habs failed to launch versus the Ottawa Senators, leading to a sleepy 5-2 loss for Martin St-Louis’ troops. The good news is that their playoff chances remain sky-high. By losing in regulation, Montreal’s playoff odds dropped to 98.4%. [Wild Card Race: Updated Montreal Canadiens Playoff Odds]

Top Canadiens goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler is officially the best netminder in the NCAA. The 20-year-old was given the Mike Richter Award, which is fitting, as he’s currently spending a lot of time with Laval Rocket starter Cayden Primeau, the last Canadiens prospect who received the accolade (2018-19). [Canadiens Prospect Jacob Fowler Wins Mike Richter Award]

Speaking of Fowler and Primeau (and Hughes), they can now say they play for the top team in the North Division, thanks to a 4-2 win over the Rochester Americans. Primeau saved 40 of the 42 shots sent his way to secure the win.

Jacob Fowler & Cayden Primeau pic.twitter.com/zVk03LXeNN

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 12, 2025

With just four games left on the docket, the Laval Rocket have great odds to finish the season as the best team in the AHL.

ICYMI: Take a closer look at some of the top centres that could be available to the Canadiens should they want to find someone to play with top prospect Ivan Demidov.  Unrestricted free agents are never cheap, but the Habs may be able to find a good value contract by going the short-term route with an established veteran. [Canadiens Free Agency: Top-8 UFA Centres To Play With Demidov]

National Hockey Now Network

The Red Wings aren’t done yet. Not as long as Marco Kasper is around, at least. [Detroit Red Wings]

The Pittsburgh Penguins shrugged off a bad start, capitalized on some lucky bounces, and kept charging for a 4-2 win versus the new Jersey Devils. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

Following the New Jersey Devils’ loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night, the Sheldon Keefe dropped a hint about injured defenceman Dougie Hamilton. [New Jersey Devils]