Canadiens de Montréal Bring the Heat to Trois-Rivières: Pre-Season Thrills and Local Heroics

The atmosphere at the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières was nothing short of electric as the Canadiens de Montréal faced off against the Ottawa Senators in an adrenaline-fueled pre-season clash. For the fans in attendance, this wasn’t just another exhibition game; it was a celebration of hockey culture and a homecoming for one of the team’s key figures.

A Homecoming for Samuel Montembeault

Before the first puck even dropped, the crowd erupted in a massive ovation for goaltender Samuel Montembeault. A native of the region (Bécancour), Montembeault’s return to his roots added a deep emotional layer to the evening. Speaking on the occasion, Montembeault highlighted the unique relationship Quebec has with the sport, noting that in his hometown, hockey is practically a religion.

The game served as a centerpiece for the celebrations surrounding Saint-Boniface, the winning community of Kraft Hockeyville 2025, further cementing the bond between the professional squad and the grassroots community.

Game Highlights: Fast Starts and Quick Responses

The action started at a breakneck pace. The Senators struck first just 89 seconds into the game, with William Eklund finding the back of the net after a clever play by Dylan Cozens. While it was the first goal Montembeault conceded in the pre-season, the Montreal crowd didn’t stay quiet for long.

The momentum shifted quickly thanks to the relentless pressure of Florian Xhekaj, whose tenacity in the offensive zone helped the Tricolore maintain possession. This paved the way for Jayden Struble, who sent the arena into a frenzy with a powerful shot from the right circle, leveling the score and reigniting the home crowd’s energy.

Building Chemistry: The Martin St-Louis Blueprint

Head coach Martin St-Louis used this matchup to continue experimenting with line combinations and testing the depth of his roster. Key takeaways from the lineup included:

• The Power Trio: Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield remained center-stage, joined by Alex Newhook on the right wing to create a dynamic offensive threat.
• The Youth Movement: A glimpse into the future was provided by the second line, featuring Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Oliver Kapanen, whose chemistry is already becoming a talking point among analysts.
• Defensive Battles: The blue line saw a mix of established talent and hopefuls. Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson led the way, while David Reinbacher had a prime opportunity to showcase his skill paired with Hutson.

Looking Ahead

While some veterans like Chris Kreider sat out this contest and Kaiden Guhle continues his recovery from a minor summer surgery, the overall performance of the Canadiens de Montréal shows a team hungry for the regular season. The team will wrap up its pre-season preparations with two final games against the Senators—one in Montreal and one in Ottawa.

With the blend of veteran leadership and explosive young talent, the Habs are building a foundation that promises excitement for the upcoming NHL season.