1) Well, that was an exercise in futility, if we've ever seen one. With only Jason Spezza, Jared Cowen and Craig Anderson out of the lineup, the Senators did exactly what they should've done to the hodgepodge selection of Junior and AHL prospects the Canadiens dressed alongside Lars Eller's line, Raphael Diaz and Jarred Tinordi.

For a guy that let in five goals, Peter Budaj was about as good as he could've been in this one.

Rematch tonight, and the Sens lineup looks pitiful. Given that this is Montreal's last preseason game, you'd expect to see a roster that closely resembles the one they have planned for opening night.

Optional skate in Brossard this morning, and all the players from last night took the option.

2) Obviously, it wasn't Tinordi's best performance last night, but we can give him a pass given what he had to work with, nevermind the amount of hockey he's had to play in the preseason.

3) Considering Nathan Beaulieu's not at 100% yet, and that he was playing his first game in over two weeks, he looked alright. He made a few nice plays out there, and didn't get caught up too much, not that it was a stellar performance for him.

Every year, a player who desperately wants the opportunity to prove his worth is robbed of that chance by injury. This year, it's Beaulieu. And it's a bit too late for him to show that he can stick at this point. So he'll make his way down, and the hope is that he'll start showing the Canadiens that he's capable.

I wish we had the chance to get a better look at Beaulieu in training camp. My evaluation of him before he got here this fall: At his peak, he'll be Nick Leddy, not Duncan Keith.

A lot of people might interpret that as an insult. It's not intended to be one at all. I happen to think Nick Leddy is a fantastic skater and a solid offensive defenseman; a real good number three. If Beaulieu can be better than that, it would be quite an accomplishment for him, and I'm looking forward to seeing him prove what he can do.

4) Interesting to note-- Leddy was chosen 16th overall by Minnesota in the 2009 draft. He's 5"11, 180lbs.

Beaulieu was chosen 17th overall in 2011, and he's 6"1, 184lbs.

5) Darren Dietz may have been shown up by a few bonafide NHL stars throughout this preseason, but the kid has shown that he's going to turn into a very good player. He's got great skating ability, he's got a real nice offensive game, and he's got size. Once he learns how to put it all together, and he gets stronger, he's going to be very impressive.

Training camp is generally a very positive experience for young players (unless you're Louis Leblanc). If I had to chose one player in this camp that will really grow from this experience, it would be Dietz.

6) There have been flashes of brilliance for all three players, but Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher haven't exactly been turning heads with their play in these exhibition games.

It's not like Therrien's going to panic and split them up before the season's even started, but if they play five or six games in the same manner, I can't help but wonder if the coach will switch Galchenyuk to centre on that line, moving Eller to his wing. The chemistry will come between these three players, but maybe a move like that might stimulate it immediately.

Good problem to have, but we all know that both Eller and Galchenyuk are better off at centre.

7) The Canadiens' least heralded player returns to the lineup tonight after missing the rest of their preseason games. Captain Brian Gionta makes his debut.

Probably a good time to remind everyone that Gionta still managed 14 goals in 48 games last season, which pretty much put him in line with his career average in the category.

I made a bunch of predictions about the Habs' season on twitter, and one of them was that Gionta will score at least 22 goals this season. Some people thought that was one of the bolder predictions. I feel it's one of the safest ones...

8) Guess I should mention the other nine predictions I made. I needn't caution you to flame me for some of them immediately, though it would make more sense for you to hang on to your "I told you sos" for the end of the season.

Regardless, all of the following predictions are contingent on the given health of a player. If an injury occurs, averages and projections will have to serve as the result.

a) P.K. Subban will lead the Habs in scoring.

b) Pacioretty will score more than 30 goals.

c) Price will record more than 30 wins for the second time of his career.

d) David Desharnais will score at least 55 points (there's a bolder one).

e) Alex Galchenyuk will score at least 55 points.

f) Daniel Briere will score at least 50 points (BOLD).

g) At least six Habs will score 20 goals or more (boldest).

h) Andrei Markov will finish top 3 in powerplay points.

i) The Habs will make the playoffs.

9) Reporters at the Habs optional skate are saying that Douglas Murray was back on the ice with the regulars this morning.

10) Expect some cuts to be announced by the end of the morning.

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