Kotkaniemi scores in Habs debut, Montreal beats Devils 3-1 in pre-season opener
MONTREAL — While he didn’t score the winning goal, Finnish rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi drew the loudest fanfare at the Bell Centre Monday night. It served as his “welcome to Montreal” moment.
Charles Hudon had the eventual winner as the Canadiens scored three unanswered goals in 92 seconds en route to a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday in their pre-season home opener. The Canadiens were down a goal for most of the game before scoring all three goals in the third period.
Victor Mete also scored for the Canadiens (1-0-0). But it was the third goal from Kotkaniemi drew the most attention, his first in a Habs uniform, to the delight of the fans in attendance.
“I’ve never heard the crowd that loud,” Kotkaniemi said. “Pretty unbelievable.”