Christian Dvorak, Jonathan Drouin and Josh Anderson are apparently already ready for the start of the season.
The trio generated three power-play goals and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Monday night at the Bell Center.
The Canadian lost his first preseason game 4-1 on Saturday in Toronto. The players in uniform Monday for the Habs were all on their first outing.
Dvorak, Drouin and Anderson accumulated three goals and six assists together during the game. Dvorak, who was acquired just a few weeks ago, already seems to have developed a good bond with his new teammates.
Michael Pezzetta also scored two goals for the Canadian, the second in an empty net late in the game.
On the attack, Jan Mysak caused a few chances with some nice feints. He also amassed an assist on a goal from Pezzetta.
On defense, Kaiden Guhle and Mattias Norlinder continued to look good alongside David Savard and Ben Chiarot respectively. Guhle, the Canadiens’ first-round pick in 2020, played particularly with aplomb.
The evening was more difficult for Chris Wideman, who however played with the hope Corey Schueneman.
In front of the net, Jake Allen was solid, stopping the 15 shots directed at him during his 29:46 of play. In relief, Kevin Poulin gave in twice on 22 shots.
David Kampf and Ondrej Kase scored for the Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell allowed three goals on 12 shots in 29:46 of play, then Petr Mrazek gave up once on eight shots thereafter.
The Canadiens play their next preseason game on Friday, when they visit the Ottawa Senators.
Action for the keepers
A sign of things to come, Anderson almost escaped on his first appearance on the ice. He just edged the puck in the offensive zone and the linesman called an offside.
Anderson finally opened the scoring after 9:24 of play on the power play. During a disheveled entry, the disc found itself behind the defensemen of the Maple Leafs. Anderson stepped on the accelerator and picked up the disc. He immediately unleashed a sharp shot, which foiled Campbell in the upper half.
The Canadian returned to the charge at 1:06 pm, again on the power play. Dvorak completed a nice play started by Joel Armia and Drouin and only had to deflect Drouin’s handover into a gaping cage.
Pezzetta widened the lead to 3-0 after 9:46 of play in the second period, deflecting an imprecise shot from Mysak into the goal. Both teams took advantage of the stoppage of play to change their goalkeeper.
The Maple Leafs welcomed Poulin by beating him 90 seconds after entering the game. Adam Brooks’ goal was canceled, however, since there was an offside when entering the zone.
It was only a postponement for the Leafs. Kampf scored at 11:15 shorthanded, when he speared the disc as Poulin attempted a throw-in to his left.
Anderson gave the home club a three-goal cushion at 12:40, again on the power play. He surprised Mrazek on the mittens side, as he was surrounded by the four Maple Leafs skaters.
Kase scored the Leafs ‘second goal with 1:03 left in the second period, after a long streak in the Canadiens’ territory. Kase took advantage of a perfect pass from Morgan Rielly to beat Poulin.
Both goalies did well in the third period. While Poulin kept the fort in the Canadiens’ camp, Mrazek distinguished himself by frustrating Pezzetta and Anderson with the mitt during breakaways.
Pezzetta closed the books by pulling into an empty net with 1:49 to go.
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