The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night, the first of two games at the 2025 Prospect Showdown.
Before we get going, it’s important to remember to take everything with a grain of salt, this isn’t even preseason hockey, it’s pre-preseason hockey.
The Habs opted to add a little muscle to the first line by using Florian Xhekaj with Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen. It was a decision that would immediately pay dividends for the Canadiens.
Owen Beck centred Vinzenz Rohrer and Tyler Thorpe on the second line, Filip Mesar was used with Egor Goriunov and Luke Tuch on the third line, and Will Deneen anchored the fourth line alongside Joe Dunlap and Israel Mianscum.
Unsurprisingly, Laval Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent opted to use Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher as his first pairing. Owen Protz and Andrew MacNeil were on the second pairing, while invitee Simon Lavigne and Carlos Handel formed the third defensive combination.
Demidov was the best player on the ice, as evidenced by his three-point effort, but it was the Jets who ruled the day with a 4-3 win.
Let’s jump into the highlights!
X Factor
Florian opened up the game with a few heavy cross-checks that probably should have been penalized, and while I have no issue with his aggressive style, it did remind me that we’ve had Xhekajs leading the physical charge at the prospect tournament for four consecutive years. Florian’s brother, Arber, was in the spotlight a few years ago when he brazenly stole a soul during a fight versus the Senators.
It took the first line roughly two shifts to score, with Xhekaj taking advantage of a classic net drive by Demidov, which resulted in a loose puck and a confused goaltender.
Demidov drives the net, Xhekaj pounces on the loose puck.
1-0 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/6oLyTwkzXH
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 13, 2025
With all due respect to all the other players in action on Saturday, Demidov was simply on another level when it came to his speed of execution. If not for a few excellent saves by Jets reminder Dominic DiVincentiis, the Demidov line would have scored a handful of goals.
Full marks to Kapanen and Xhekaj as well, but it was clear that Demidov was running the show, at least when it came to generating scoring chances. The physical show was clearly headlined by Xhekaj, as per tradition.
Ivan Demidov sets up Oliver Kapanen on the powerplay with a quick pass.
2-0 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/LJ8tUYJ6kW
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 14, 2025
It was a rough game for Mikus Vecvanags, who allowed back-to-back goals almost immediately after taking over from Fowler. Playing as a young goalie at the Bell Centre is never easy, especially if it involves a switch at the midpoint of the game, and even more so if you’re replacing the heir apparent.
To be perfectly fair to Vecvanags, Reinbacher could have helped him out prior to the second Jets goal.
GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT?
Yes, we think so 😍 pic.twitter.com/yNTjBIN8lh
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) September 14, 2025
The Habs would go on to pepper DiVincentiis, holding a 38-23 advantage in shots by the time the Jets broke the tie in the third period. We won’t lose any sleep over the result, but suffice it to say, the Habs controlled the play throughout the majority of the game.
Demidov stole the show with his third point of the night, a game-tying goal in the dying minutes of the third period. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to push the game to overtime, as the Jets scored shortly thereafter, securing a 4-3 win.
Ivan Demidov ties the game with a great goal late in the third period.
I’m just going to say it.
Demidov might have a career in hockey ahead of him.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/QAjmqWh5vH
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 14, 2025
Montreal Canadiens Prospect Showdown Notes
– Jacob Fowler is beyond boring, and that’s the ultimate compliment for a young goaltender. He’s almost always set, resulting in uneventful saves regardless of the quality of the incoming scoring chance. There was one play that led to a scramble in Montreal’s zone, and while I’m not convinced Fowler knew exactly where the puck was, I’m also not convinced his heart rate rose beyond the level required for an active-duty sniper in a war zone.
A few great chances for the Jets, but Jacob Fowler shuts them down. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/zVEB7Qu7cb
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 13, 2025
– Protz is violence. Violence is Protz. They require each other to thrive.
Owen Protz loves huge hits. Keep an eye on the top of the replay. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/m2nKCekWZw
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 13, 2025
– It’s perfectly normal to see a lot of scouts at the Bell Centre, but that won’t stop us from speculating wildly about their presence!
Need two pages to list all the scouts in Bell Centre press box for tonight’s Prospect Showdown game between #Habs and Jets. pic.twitter.com/us90zX1rZh
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 14, 2025
– Filip Mesar had a solid, if not somewhat underwhelming game. It’s not that he played poorly, but he did not manage to stand out, and that’s an issue when you consider the quality of the competition. It may not be fair, but at this point in his career, Mesar should be excelling in rookie scrimmages.
– Does anyone else find it a little odd that both the Habs and the Senators are participating in the same prospect tournament, and yet they’ll only play against the Jets and Leafs? On the flip side, the two teams have built-up a lot of bad blood in recent years, particularly when their rookies face each other in September, which may explain the scheduling.
– The Canadiens will not host any matinée games at the Bell Centre this year, removing the few opportunities young fans have to attend a game in a family-friendly atmosphere. Fortunately, the prospect showdown fills the void to a certain extent.
#Habs fans – including a lot of kids – having fun at Prospect Showdown game at Bell Centre. pic.twitter.com/xVTkTL44Rg
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 14, 2025
The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Sunday, facing the Toronto Maple Leafs at 3pm ET.