Plekanec scores twice, Canadiens beat Senators 3-1

When the Montreal Canadiens wrapped up their training camp last Tuesday, coach Michel Therrien informed goaltender Mike Condon he had made the team by telling him he’d be starting in Sunday’s game against the Ottawa Senators. He couldn’t be held responsible for Montreal’s other two goals, as Plekanec scored on a breakaway and Torrey Mitchell deflected one past the rookie.

Matt O’Connor made 31 saves for Ottawa in his National Hockey League debut. It could be a heated game, especially since the Canadiens eliminated the Senators from the first round of the playoffs a year ago in six games.

Plekanec opened the scoring at the nine-minute mark as he beat O’Connor with a sharp angle shot. Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk was on hand to drop the puck with his two daughters… Condon spent the last three seasons bouncing between the Ontario Reign (ECHL), Houston Aeros (AHL), Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) and Wheeling Nailers (ECHL). 921 save percentage to go along with his 23-19-6 record…. No different modifications to their lineup are anticipated. Montreal LW Paul Byron, who was claimed off waivers from Calgary on Monday, has been a healthy scratch for both of the first two games of the season.2.

Carey Price and Dustin Tokarski were the goalies who dressed for Montreal in the series, while Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond both started games for Ottawa.

The Senators played much of the second period shorthanded as they took five minor penalties.