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Pascal Vincent is in trouble

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated May 29, 2025 1:33 PM ET

Series days come and go, but they’re never the same for the Rocket.

In the first round, Jacob Fowler, fresh from American university hockey, was a veritable fortress in front of his new professional team’s net: two goals allowed, no goals allowed, then one goal allowed. He won all three games in the first series.

Meanwhile, Cayden Primeau allowed three goals in the Rocket’s only first-round loss.

In the second round, the opposite was true. Cayden Primeau won all three games against the Americans, while Jacob Fowler – who allowed eight goals in less than 90 minutes of play – lost two. Pascal Vincent even referred to Primeau as a 6’12 ” goalie after the final game.

The third round got underway yesterday in Laval, under the 2-3-3 format (first four-of-seven of the year for the Rocket).

Pascal Vincent, even though he tried to muddy the waters in the morning, named the man we’d all have preferred to defend the Rocket cage: Cayden Primeau. The guy’s got experience and was coming off a shutout.

Cayden Primeau has been a monster this season in Laval.(Credit: Getty Images)

Except what had to happen happened: Primeau reverted to the average pocket goalie he was in the first round (and in Montreal). He let in four of the 23 shots he received, unable to keep his team in the game early on. The game was over by the first intermission, like…

This morning, both goalkeepers have a record of 3-2-0, an efficiency percentage between .903 and .906, and a goals-against average ranging from 2.40 to 2.46. And they’ve each earned a shutout. And they each earned a shutout..

(Credit: TheAHL.com)

Everyone’s asking the same question right now: which goaltender will Pascal Vincent send into the fray tonight in Laval?

If he sends Primeau and it goes badly, we’ll say he should have bounced back with the organization’s #1 prospect at that position..

But if he sends Fowler and it doesn’t go well, we’ll say that he should have kept going with his #1 goaltender… and that he shouldn’t let management dictate his choices (whether they do or not).

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t!

In short, Pascal Vincent must win tonight’s game in Laval, or his team will have to win at least two of their three games in Carolina to avoid elimination and bring the series back to Laval. Unfortunately, he only had one (short) night to think things over.

Since tonight’s game will be the second in two nights, I think my call would be to go with Jacob Fowler.

Except that it’s not the call I’d make that’s important, it’s the call Pascal Vincent would make.

No, Cayden Primeau’s exit yesterday at Place Bell doesn’t make Vincent’s job any easier. And I’m pretty sure a few NHL GMs will be watching closely what happens in Laval tonight. If Vincent makes the wrong choice, could it hurt his chances of getting back into the show?

Pascal Vincent will be betting big tonight. It’s up to him to put his money on the right horse.

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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