Canadiens Highlights: Caufield Scores In Final Preseason Game

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night, the final preseason match-up for both clubs.

Unlike the previous time these teams met, this game actually featured more hockey than fights, however, the Senators reigned supreme, emerging with a 3-1 win.

Let’s dive into the highlights!

False Start

The Senators were the much better team in the first period, and that’s no exaggeration. Montreal eventually found its rhythm to a certain extent, but Ottawa emerged from the first 20 minutes of play with a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

It could have been much worse, but thankfully Joe Veleno’s defensive prowess came to the forefront, resulting in the save of the game for a player who has enjoyed a very solid camp.

Joe Veleno with the save of the game to keep the score 1-0. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/J6V3WHL2YT

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 4, 2025

There wasn’t much worth mentioning through 40 minutes from a Canadiens perspective. Martin St-Louis’ team was a little better in the second frame of the game, but the Senators continued to be the better team by a rather wide margin.

A good save by Montembeault keeps the score 2-0. pic.twitter.com/mSo5XhU6V2

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 5, 2025

Welcome To The Atlantic Division

It didn’t take very long for Arber Xhekaj to introduce himself to Kurtis MacDermid, the player the Senators acquired once Zach MacEwen’s endless streak of lost fights was too much to ignore.

And I don’t mean that they fought, they literally just exchanged notes some time in the second period. I’m sure they’ll eventually get into a scrap, but there was no need for either play to drop their gloves at that point in the game.

“Yup, they straight up traded him after he lost too many fights. True story.” pic.twitter.com/B56WhUKghT

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 5, 2025

Get One Back

All things considered, it was a game to forget for the Canadiens. At the very least, Cole Caufield made it a little more interesting with a goal late in the third period, assisted by Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky. It was all for naught, as former Canadiens forward Lars Eller scored an empty-net goal shortly afterwards.

On reprend vie grâce à Cole!

Cole brings us within one!

OTT 2, MTL 1#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/XN7cIBRV5x

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 5, 2025

Additional Montreal Canadiens Notes

• The name of the game for veterans in the preseason is staying healthy. Anything else is a bonus. With that in mind, Noah Dobson has had a relatively underwhelming preseason, but don’t be surprised if he picks up his play by a few notches once the regular season begins.
• Adam Engstrom had a very solid outing on Saturday. I expect him to be the final cut on the blue line, which means he’ll start the season in the AHL, but he’s clearly the first choice for a recall once injuries hit. I’d also argue that he’d be a decent replacement for Mike Matheson should the team entertain trade discussions, but that would be ignoring that Matheson is set to play about 25 minutes per game, while Engstrom is yet to play a single regular-season game in the NHL.
• We used to have a bull at the farm that limped due to an issue at birth. It looked odd, but he definitely powered through it, and good on him. It’s not always easy to do what you love when you have a hard time moving. On a completely unrelated note, Kurtis MacDermid has an interesting skating style, to say the least.
• You can’t be mad about the MacDermid joke, because he wouldn’t be. The guy already has a chip, he’s doing fine.
• Kirby Dach’s mobility does not seem to be an issue. Some had opined that he would not be ready by the time the season starts. It will take more than just decent mobility to find his rhythm, but it’s an encouraging start.
• I’m not sure Samuel Blais has really done enough to merit a roster spot in the NHL. He can be used as a 13th forward, and that may end-up being his saving grace. To his credit, Saturday was one of his better games of the preseason.
• Joe Veleno is probably going to make the team on the back of a solid showing at camp. He can provide energy during every shift, but I’d like him to show a little more greed when he has an opportunity to take a shot from a high-danger scoring area.

The next time the Montreal Canadiens are in action will mark the debut of the 2025-26 regular season. They’re set to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, October 8, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.