Canadiens Lineup

Cole Caufield – Sean Monahan – Evgenii Dadonov

Jonathan Drouin – Kirby Dach – Brendan Gallagher

Juraj Slafkovsky – Rem Pitlick – Josh Anderson

Michael Pezzetta – Jake Evans – Rafael Harvey-Pinard

Chris Wideman – Arber Xhekaj

Corey Schueneman – Kaiden Guhle

Jordan Harris – Justin Barron

Jake Allen – Sam Montembeault

Madison Bowey, Mike Matheson, Otto Leskinen, Mike Hoffman, Cayden Primeau, David Savard

Carey Price (knee), Paul Byron (hip), Joel Edmundson (back), Logan Mailloux (shoulder), Nick Suzuki (upper-body), Emil Heineman (upper-body), Joel Armia  (upper-body), Christian Dvorak (upper-body)

Game Report

The Montreal Canadiens finished the exhibition schedule without a win. Their record of 0-6-2 included four losses to the Ottawa Senators. In Saturday’s game, the Sens sat most of their big guns yet the Habs could not find a way to win.

It’s fair to say that Kaiden Guhle locked up his spot in the opening lineup. If there remained any doubt, Guhle put that notion to bed with his third goal of the pre-season. Once again, he was one of the best players on the ice.

In addition to Guhle, this game featured three other young defencemen who each had their ups and downs throughout the training camp. Arber Xhekaj has much to learn but is the odds on favorite to gain a roster spot, simply due to his style of play. And that he can replace the physicality missing on the back end with Joel Edmundson out with a back injury.

Cole Caufield scored his fourth goal of the exhibition schedule, with each goal coming via the power-play. Caufield is ready but who will be his linemates as the season begins.

Juraj Slafkovsky had two decent games in Newfoundland and New Brunswick but would probably be better served by spending some time in Laval. But injuries to his teammates may play in his favor, likely finding himself suiting up for the Habs at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night.

Players Remain Positive

It would be too simplistic to claim that the preseason doesn’t matter at all. Of course it does. Teams can’t just flip a switch and start dominating with two points on the line.

But, for the most part, this pre-season record should not be on the players. And to their credit, the spirits seem good. But you know there has to be disappointment among such a competitive group.

The winless record in the exhibition schedule primarily can be laid at the feet of Marty St. Louis. It was the head coach’s first training camp and at times, he seemed woefully unprepared.

Up Next

The Canadiens will have a day off on Sunday. Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and Marty St. Louis will then begin the decision-making process to determine their 23-man roster. The health of several key players will certainly be a factor. Christian Dvorak, Mike Hoffman, Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia are each dealing with injuries.

And how will the acquisition of Johnathan Kovacevic factor into the cuts on defence? We will find out over the next few days.

The Canadiens will host the Toronto Maple Leafs to open the 2022-’23 season on Wednesday at the Bell Centre.

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