MONTREAL — In the final exhibition game before the regular-season opener, goaltender Samuel Montembeault and veteran forward Chris Kreider drew warm ovations from the Bell Centre crowd as the Montreal Canadiens secured a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators’ B squad. The matchup provided head coach Martin St-Louis a final look at his roster ahead of Tuesday’s season debut against Toronto.
Montembeault Overcomes Summer Uncertainty with Sharp Preseason Play
Samuel Montembeault received an enthusiastic reaction from the Montreal faithful when he stepped onto the ice midway through the contest. The goaltender punctuated his entry just minutes later by turning aside two scoring chances while the club was short-handed, prompting a resounding ovation from the home supporters.
Montembeault acknowledged the reception after the game, noting that his last appearance at the Bell Centre had taken place on February 26, leaving a seven-month gap between home appearances. With the Canadiens preferring not to start the season with three goaltenders, the performance strengthened his case, as he finished the exhibition slate allowing just one goal on 35 shots across three partial appearances for a .971 save percentage.
Head coach Martin St-Louis praised the goaltender’s mental resilience following the victory. According to St-Louis, athletic setbacks require internal rebuilding that goes beyond raw physical skill, and Montembeault’s dedication during the offseason yielded clear results on the ice. Phillip Danault also highlighted Montembeault’s steady demeanor through difficult stretches in previous months, emphasizing the character required to bounce back.
Kreider Establishes Position in the Offensive Zone
Veteran forward Chris Kreider continued to integrate into his new role with the club, finding the back of the net with a straightforward finish from the slot. Kreider had tested the Ottawa defense from the same area earlier in the evening, offering an early look at how the coaching staff intends to deploy him on the attack during the upcoming campaign.
Kreider noted that increased familiarity with his surroundings has helped him settle into the lineup. The 35-year-old’s presence around the crease gives Montreal an established physical presence near the net.
Special Teams Adjustments Require Fine-Tuning
Montreal spent considerable practice time evaluating its special teams units, influenced in part by newly appointed assistant coach Derek Lalonde. Lalonde has installed a more aggressive penalty-killing structure, though the implementation remains a work in progress.
During the contest, the Ottawa power play capitalized when aggressive defensive gambits left gaps on the ice. Defender Mike Matheson overcommitted to one side on the Senators’ first goal, creating an odd-man rush, while a later scramble along the boards allowed Philippe Daoust to orchestrate a scoring sequence for Ottawa.
Dobson Steps into Power-Play Role in Absence of Hutson
With regulars Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson rested for the final preseason fixture, Noah Dobson took charge of the power-play unit. Dobson capitalized on the opportunity by scoring with a heavy shot.
Coaching staff evaluations during the week indicated that Dobson possesses the offensive toolkit necessary to direct the man-advantage and serve as an effective alternative when the primary unit encounters scoring droughts.
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