- Hopefully Jeff Hoffman doesn’t blow a nine-run lead for the Blue Jays as I switch over to this game.
- What kind of nonsense are we in for tonight?
First period
- We got through one minute without an attack on a Canadiens player. Fifty-nine more to go.
- It’s a strong start for Ottawa. The Senators have chosen to play hockey tonight.
- Jake Evans has gone to the Canadiens’ dressing room after blocking a shot. So much for getting out of this game healthy.
- A lot just flipping the puck lazily up the boards on attempted zone exits so far. The Senators play too hard for that to be effective.
- Ottawa opens the scoring on its ninth show in the opening 9:15. Montreal needs to match that level.
- Adam Engström banks the puck off the wall and turns a clockwise cycle into a counter-clockwise zone exit. He earns some “oohs” for that move.
- Owen Beck collects the puck after Sammy Blais won it free, and flung it back where no one was stationed on the blue line.
- Evans is back on the ice.
- Joe Veleno makes a sliding pad save with Samuel Montembeault out of the crease.
- Cole Caufield get called for the lightest boarding penalty you’ll ever see as he nudges Claude Giroux into the boards near the bench while he’s turning.
- We almost had a short-handed two-on-one with two Xhekajs, but Arber dumped the puck in deep for his brother.
- Veleno has been Montreal’s most noticeable player so far in this game, though he should have made the decision to shoot on a late two-on-one with a covered Nick Suzuki.
- Now that the Canadiens know what they’re in for, I expect a better second period.
Second period
- Patrik Laine continues to look good in this pre-season. He’s making plays and not just posting up waiting for a one-timer. Very engaged.
- It’s a better period from Montreal, but still not matching the Senators’ level.
- David Perron deflects in a puck from the slot, making it a 2-0 lead for Ottawa. The puck actually deflected twice on its way to the net, giving Montembeault zero chance to stop it.
- Montreal comes out after the goal and draws a penalty. Josh Anderson is interfered with at the top of the crease.
- Hutson time.
- Montembeault stops Dylan Cozens on a short-handed breakaway.
- Another interference call against Ottawa, this time in the offensive zone. Hopefully this power play generates a bit more.
- Engström is getting time on the top unit, manning the point while Hutson plays the bumper role.
- He also just dangled through the Senators defence for a backhand shot on goal.
- If only Montreal could have eight defencemen dressed each night, they’d have a real advantage over every other team.
- Laine ends the power play early with an missed stick lift.
- Veleno looks good … until it comes time to make a play with the puck. His hands don’t appear to be NHL-calibre.
- I think the same may be true for Beck.
- Laine protects the puck and draws a penalty, I think his third or fourth of the pre-season. I’ve been impressed by him. His personal improvement from last year will be big for the whole team.
Third period
- Montreal just hasn’t been able to make the one pass that would give a player some space to get the power play set up properly. They’ve been available, they just haven’t been made.
- It’s just not a good night for any kind of execution from the Habs. This is as flat as the first game versus Toronto.
- The period has reached its midpoint. The only good thing about this game for Montreal is that it’s almost over.
- Suzuki sets Up Guhle right between the faceoff dots, but Linus Ullmark makes the save.
- Beck connected with Noah Dobson across the zone, and unfortunately I think that might the first play with the puck #62 has completed in this game.
- Montreal started to pick up its level with about eight minutes to play looking to get on the board.
- And it’s the top line that at least salvages something from this game, but Lane Hutson, with the carry, zone entry, and stop on a dime to start the play, deserves all the credit.
Cole Caufield cleans up the rebound and the Habs are on the board!
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla.bsky.social) October 4, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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- I think this line will be okay when the season starts.
- Sammy Blais just can’t get his stick on a puck with Ullmark on the opposite side of the net.
- Lars Eller hits the empty net, and that will end the late comeback effort.
- With the first three opponents of the season being Toronto, Detroit, and Chicago, the Canadiens probably won’t face this same level of intensity in the opening week.
