Jordan Weal scored in the first period and again in the shootout as the Montreal Canadiens edged the Florida Panthers 5-4 in a preseason game at Bell Centre.
Sam Montembeault was tested often during the tilt. The 22-year-old finished with 42 saves on 46 shots over the first 65 minutes of action.
The shootout was different story as Montreal went a perfect 3-for-3 with Nick Suzuki and Phil Varone converting, in addition to Weal, while Vincent Trocheck was the only Cat to beat Carey Price, who only faced 18 shots during the game.
After giving up the game’s first tally to Weal, the Panthers eventually built a 3-1 lead early in second period on goals from Owen Tippett, Anthony Greco and Jonathan Ang. Ang also earned an assist on Tippett’s marker.
Tippett scored with a nice wrist shot from right circle; Greco solved Price after a terrible Montreal turnover; and Ang went five-hole to finish off a pretty passing play.
Brendan Gallagher scored twice and Brett Kulak also lit the lamp to put the Habs back on top before the break. All three goals were the result of some poor defensive play, which is not at all encouraging.
Brett Connolly got the Panthers its first preseason point when he evened things up midway through the final frame with a power-play goal that was set up by Trocheck and Keith Yandle.
Other Panthers with assists in the game were Ethan Prow, Joel Lowry and Jake Massie.
The Cats will take on the Dallas Stars Saturday night in Tulsa, OK.
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