Get Ready for Excitement!

The 2025-26 NHL pre-season kicks off tonight with the Montreal Canadiens facing off against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT! Tune in on TSN2 (English), RDS (French), or catch the action on NHL Network in the U.S.

A New Look for the Canadiens

After an electrifying off-season, all eyes are on the Canadiens as they debut some fresh talent. Notably, Noah Dobson will lace up his skates for the first time in a Canadiens jersey, teaming up with Mike Matheson on the top defensive unit. Expect them to share power-play responsibilities, setting the tone for the season ahead.

Penguins' Sparse Lineup

On the other side, the Penguins are keeping it low-key this off-season. With key players like Erik Karlsson and Sidney Crosby absent from this road game, the pressure falls on the less familiar faces to step up. However, Canadiens fans may recognize Rafaël Harvey-Pinard dressed in Pittsburgh colors.

Canadiens' Advantage?

Given Montreal's robust defensive lineup and a solid middle six, they’re expected to dominate possession. This could spell plenty of scoring opportunities, but remember, pre-season battles often see those vying for a spot on the roster giving it their all, making for an unpredictable matchup.

Projected Lineups: Who’s Hitting the Ice?

**Montreal Canadiens Expected Lineup:** - Left Wing: Patrik Laine - Centre: Oliver Kapanen - Right Wing: Ivan Demidov - (Additional players include Josh Anderson, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, and others) **Pittsburgh Penguins Expected Lineup:** - Left Wing: Danton Heinen - Centre: Tommy Novak - Right Wing: Anthony Mantha - (Includes players like Robby Fabbri, Tristan Broz, and more) Don't miss out on what promises to be an action-packed pre-season opener!