Despite the loss, there are positive takeaways for several Montreal Canadiens players following the Habs first preseason action against the Devils.

GAME RECAP | New Jersey Devils vs Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Lineup

Game Report

This game had all of the earmarks of a preseason match: some flashes of brilliance, players who were brushing off the rust, and the usual mistakes of youth.

While the Devils 'A' squad was shellacking the Flyers in New Jersey, the 'B' squad put away the Canadiens on the strength of three power play goals. Devils forward Jack Hughes put on a show at the Bell Centre with a goal and two assists.

The Canadiens opened the scoring in this game with a power play goal of their own. Jesse Ylonen, who had a solid game and earned the most special teams' minutes, created a turnover in the New Jersey zone, which was eventually deposited in the net by the offensive-minded Joshua Roy.

The other Josh (Anderson) scored the Canadiens only other goal. It was perhaps a makeup for Anderson's half-hearted wave at Hughes on his way to setting up Dawson Mercer for the Devils' third goal. Anderson and centre Alex Newhook look like a pair that we could be seeing together on opening night.

Owen Beck was the only Canadien to put a crimp in the night of Hughes, winning important draws from the 22-year-old star. Beck looked comfortable in all situations playing fifteen and a half minutes.

Canadiens fans heard a lot about Juraj Slafkovsky becoming quicker and stronger over the summer. He had an opportune time to display it tonight with two speedy linemates in Anderson and Newhook. While Slafkovsky was more engaged, he still seems to suffer from being a step behind physically and mentally.

On defense, it was Logan Mailloux who garnered most of the attention. He was physical, he skated well, he carried the puck, he created numerous chances and he made defensive mistakes. Mailloux isn't lacking confidence and did not look out of place. "It was a good test and I felt like I did okay," said Mailloux.

On the other hand, David Reinbacher was tentative and was panicky when making decisions early in the game. Habs fans have been told that there is a confident decision-maker inside somewhere; patience will be required to discover it.

Reinbacher got a little more comfortable as the game went on, much to the credit of his partner, Kaiden Guhle. The 21-year-old veteran of just 44 NHL games was a rock on defense for the Canadiens while wearing an 'A.' After the game, Reinbacher said, "[Kaiden] helped me a lot. He was really poised with the puck."

In goal, Sam Montembeault was the recipient of lots of praise on social media and in the Bell Centre early on in the game. But Montembeault looked bad on a harmless shot off the boards by Simon Nemec that found its way between the goalie's skate and post. Montembeault called it "one of the worst goals I've ever given up in my life."

Jakub Dobes took over for the last half of the game making his first professional appearance. Dobes made 11 saves on 13 shots. "It was a good first experience," said Dobes.

Prior to puck drop, the Bell Centre paid tribute to well-known Montreal journalist Yvon Pedneault, who lost his battle with cancer on August 26. 

Game Statistics

Canadiens Players of the Game

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Video Highlights

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1-7rKy5LUo[/embed]

Post-game Quotes

Game Preview

Missed our game preview? Check it out here: First Clash of Preseason | PREVIEW: NJD @ MTL

Up Next

After a day off on Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens continue their preseason schedule on Wednesday night when the Ottawa Senators come to town. 

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, September 27th at the Bell Centre. Return to The Hockey News - Montreal daily for updates.