Canadiens Lineup

Artturi Lehkonen – Max Domi – Jonathan Drouin

Charles Hudon – Nick Suzuki – Jordan Weal

Nick Cousins – Nate Thompson – Dale Weise

Phil Varone – Jake Evans – Riley Barber

Victor Mete – Shea Weber

Brett Kulak – Josh Brook

Xavier Ouellet – Cale Fleury

Carey Price – Cayden Primeau

Game Report

Hockey was back at the Bell Centre with the Canadiens facing off against an NHL opponent for the first time since April. One thing is clear, it’s very unlikely that the Devils will occupy the last position in the league as they did last season.

In the off-season, New Jersey received a major influx of talent by adding Jack Hughes, Nikita Gusev, Wayne Simmonds, and P.K. Subban. With a split squad in Montreal, none of the specified players were in the lineup for the Devils.

For their part, the Canadiens were showing off shiny new talent of their own including Nick Suzuki, Cale Fleury and Cayden Primeau. And the three young players did not disappoint, each turning in a strong performance for the home squad.

As far as the Habs veterans, it was Carey Price, Shea Weber and Artturi Lehkonen leading the way.

It was just the first pre-season game, but in the post-game presser, it was clear that Claude Julien was not happy with the play of two-thirds of his top line, namely Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin.

Jake Evans didn’t have his best effort looking rather timid at times, but came through when it counted. With Domi in the box serving his second roughing penalty of the game, Evans blocked a shot, retrieved the puck and went the length of the ice for a short-handed goal. With just 2:38 remaining, Evans’ goal was the game-winner.

The Canadiens will practice at 10:00 am. Tuesday at Brossard. They will play the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night in the Kraft Hockeyville game in Bathurst, N.B.

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price, Cayden Primeau, Cale Fleury, Artturi Lehkonen, Shea Weber, Nick Suzuki, Nick Cousins, Nate Thompson

▼  Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Jordan Weal, Dale Weise