Full Breakdown
Canadiens Edge Penguins in Preseason Opener
9/23/2025, 11:08:48 AM
Game Overview and Key Details
The Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first preseason game of the 2025-26 NHL season on September 22, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The game commenced at 7:00 PM EDT and was broadcast on TSN2 and RDS in Canada, as well as on NHL Network in the United States. The Canadiens secured a narrow 2-1 victory in a shootout, with Oliver Kapanen scoring the decisive goal.
Scoring Summary
The game began with the Penguins taking an early lead. Tristan Broz scored a power-play goal at 10:26 of the first period. The Canadiens equalized in the third period when Owen Beck found the net just seven seconds after a power play expired, tying the game at 2:36. The match remained deadlocked through regulation and overtime, leading to a shootout where Kapanen and Sean Farrell scored for Montreal, while Jacob Fowler, the Canadiens' goaltender, stopped four of five Penguins' attempts.
Game Dynamics
The Canadiens outperformed the Penguins in several statistical categories, including hits (32-23) and blocked shots (22-18). However, they struggled on the power play, going 0-for-5, while the Penguins converted 1-for-4. The game featured a physical style, highlighted by a fight between Canadiens' Jared Davidson and Penguins' Sam Poulin.
Official Statements & Responses
Following the game, Canadiens' head coach Martin St-Louis praised the performance of his young players, particularly highlighting the contributions of Kapanen and Fowler. He noted, “It’s great to see our rookies stepping up in a competitive environment.” Penguins' coach Dan Muse acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, stating, “We had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize when it mattered.”
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the win, some Canadiens fans expressed concerns over the team's inability to score during power plays and the overall performance of their star players, including Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov, who were expected to lead the offense but were relatively quiet throughout the game.
What's Next
The Canadiens will continue their preseason schedule with a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Penguins are set to face the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both teams will look to refine their rosters and strategies ahead of the regular season.
