The Montreal Canadiens are returning to game action, as they play their first preseason contest of the year on Sep. 22 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

While the Canadiens have not announced their roster for the matchup at the time of this writing, the Penguins have.

The Canadiens most notably will be facing off against an old friend in their first preseason game of the year, as Rafael Harvey-Pinard will officially be in the Penguins' lineup. The 26-year-old forward's time with the Canadiens organization officially ended this off-season when he signed with the Penguins in free agency. In 84 NHL games with the Canadiens over four seasons, he recorded 17 goals, 14 assists, and 31 points. 

Harvey-Pinard spent the majority of this past season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Laval Rocket, recording five goals and 19 points in 40 games. He did play in one NHL game for Montreal in 2024-25, however, recording one hit. 

Some other Penguins players who will be in the lineup against the Habs are Boko Imama, Anthony Mantha, and Sam Poulin. Kris Letang, on the other hand, will not be in the lineup for Pittsburgh.

Here is a full look at who the Canadiens will be facing against the Penguins. 

Penguins' Forwards 

• Robby Fabbri
• Boko Imama
• Joona Koppanen
• Tommy Novak
• Sam Poulin
• Tristan Broz
• Anthony Mantha
• Danton Heinen
• Valtteri Puustinen
• Rafael Harvey-Pinard
• Ben Kindel
• Atley Calvert
• Avery Hayes

Penguins' Defensemen 

• Ryan Shea
• Matt Dumba
• Ryan Graves
• Owen Pickering
• Harrison Brunicke
• Finn Harding
• Connor Clifton

Penguins' Goalies 

• Sergei Murashov
• Joel Blomqvist