Kapanen scores shootout winner for Canadiens in 2-1 pre-season win over Penguins

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens opened their NHL pre-season schedule at the Bell Centre Monday with lots of shots, hits and highlight-reel saves.

But goals were hard to come by as the Canadiens edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in a shootout decided by Oliver Kapanen’s goal in the fifth round.

Tristan Broz of the Penguins opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 10:26 of the first period. Owen Beck of the Canadiens tied the game at 2:36 of the third, seven seconds after a Montreal power play had expired.

Jared Davidson of the Canadiens fought Sam Poulin in a spirited fight halfway through the second period.

Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault stopped 20 of 21 shots, before being replaced midway through second by Jacob Fowler, who stopped all 13 shots he faced in faced in regulation and overtime. He stopped four of five shoots in the shootout.

Pittsburgh goalie Joel Blomqvist stopped all 11 shots he faced in the first 30 minutes before being replaced by Sergei Murashov, who stopped 19 of 20 shots in regulation and overtime. He stopped three of five shots in the shootout.

Montreal outhit Pittsburgh 32-23 and blocked more shots (22-18).

The Penguins went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Canadiens were 0-for-5.

UP NEXT

Penguins: Visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.

Canadiens: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2025.