MONTREAL (AP) – Zdeno Chara scored his second goal in two nights midway through the first period before leaving because of a left foot injury in the Boston Bruins’ 3-1 preseason win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.

Chara, who left Ottawa as a free agent to sign a five-year, $37.5 million deal with Boston, was hurt when he blocked Sheldon Souray’s slap shot during Montreal’s 5-on-3 power play early in the first.

The 6-foot-9 defenseman remained in the game through the end of the first despite hobbling to the bench after he was struck by Souray’s point-blank shot. Chara opened the scoring at 8:26 on a slap shot that beat goalie David Aebischer from the right point during a lengthy two-man advantage.

The last Bruins player to board the team bus, Chara did not comment about the injury or favor either leg.

as he walked.

Jeff Hoggan scored with 39 seconds remaining in the first to put Boston up 2-0. Brad Boyes scored into an empty net with 1.7 seconds left.

Mike Johnson scored in his first appearance with the Canadiens, drawing Montreal within one 16:45 into the second.

Bruins goalie Hannu Toivonen stopped 24 of 25 shots in the first two periods before giving way to Brian Finley.

Marc Savard assisted on Chara’s goal in his Boston debut after leaving Atlanta to sign a four-year, $20 million deal with the Bruins.

Yann Danis replaced Aebischer midway through the second and made 13 saves the rest of the way.

Former Boston left wing Sergei Samsonov also made his Montreal debut after leaving Stanley Cup finalist Edmonton as a free agent.

AP-ES-09-20-06 2236EDT

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