Canadiens Conclude Preseason with Loss to Senators

KANATA – The Montreal Canadiens wrapped up their preseason campaign with a 4-2 defeat against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. While the outcome adds another loss to the Canadiens’ preseason record of 2-4-0, the key takeaway remains the squad’s overall health.

Prior to the match, head coach Martin St-Louis highlighted the importance of player health, stating that it overshadowed the actual results of the preseason fixtures. “Our main concern going into this game is ensuring everyone plays safe and remains injury-free,” explained St-Louis.

In the game, Christian Dvorak and Arber Xhekaj netted Montreal’s only goals. Dvorak found the back of the net at 18:45 of the first period, assisted by Brendan Gallagher. Xhekaj scored a one-timer in the third period at 08:44, with assists from Kaiden Guhle and Kasperi Kapanen.

On the opposing side, Ottawa’s Shane Pinto was particularly impactful, contributing to all four goals—a remarkable achievement with two goals and two assists—demonstrating his offensive prowess throughout the game.

In a pre-game move, the Canadiens recalled Lucas Condotta, Brandon Gignac, and William Trudeau from their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. All three saw action in Saturday’s game.

Looking forward, the Montreal Canadiens will commence their regular NHL season against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on Wednesday, an eagerly anticipated matchup for fans and players alike.