Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Monday.
Montreal Canadiens News
The Habs took to the ice for the first time of the preseason, with Noah Dobson and Mike Matheson serving as the team’s top pairing. The players who were not included in Monday’s game are expected to feature in Tuesday’s game versus the Philadelphia Flyers. [Canadiens Preview: Preseason Lines Versus Penguins]
It was the rookie show versus the Penguins, with Owen Beck, Filip Mesar, Jared Davidson, and Jacob Fowler standing out from the crowd. There’s not enough space in the NHL lineup for all of them, and it’s clear they are aware of the situation, as evidenced by their sustained effort levels since the opening of camp. It should also be noted that Oliver Kapanen and Sean Farrell scored key goals in the shootout to clinch the win for the Canadiens. [Canadiens Statistics – Ivan Demidov By The Playoff Numbers]
It’s always interesting to see how the coach will react to young, talented players. Without pointing any fingers, some former coaches took a rather archaic approach to rookies, while Martin St-Louis focuses on an open line of communication, which is exactly what it takes in today’s NHL. On that note, here’s St-Louis talking to Ivan Demidov during practice on Monday.
Martin St-Louis et Ivan Demidov se disent les vraies affaires en vue du power-play. Et j’adore ça. pic.twitter.com/Y2ksm0Q1qD
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) September 22, 2025
It may be a little late, but Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is finally earning well-deserved recognition around the league as one of the best players in the NHL.
The NHL Network lists Habs captain Nick Suzuki #28 in their Top 50 Players rankings pic.twitter.com/eJtwvQ2IfB
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 22, 2025
Ivan Demidov gave a great answer when asked about fellow Russian Matvei Michkov. Let’s be honest, yes they’re both from the same country, but that’s pretty much where the comparison falls apart, as Demidov explained.
Reporter: “Did it give you any sense of how you can perform when you came to the NHL (after watching Matvei Michkov last season?)”
Ivan Demidov: “I play my game. He plays his game. We’re different.” pic.twitter.com/CDTVn20HGw
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 21, 2025
National Hockey Now Network
The Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators took a very different approach to Sunday’s doubleheader to kick off the preseason at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators swept the doubleheader on Sunday and, based on the lineups iced by the two teams, they should have. [Florida Panthers]
The New Jersey Devils are retiring their black alternates jersey. The “Jersey Jersey” was established in November 2021, and has been in the Devils’ uniform rotation ever since. The Devils announced on Monday that this will be the final season the Devils wear their black alternate uniform as part of the “Jersey Jersey Bye Bye” Tour. [New Jersey Devils]
The Boston Bruins have been back together as a team for just a little over a week, but now they can say it in absolute earnest. David Pastrnak participated in his first practice of training camp on Monday morning, after sitting out for the first days while dealing with a case of tendinitis in his knee. [Boston Bruins]