Montreal’s Bell Centre is set to host the historic 767th regular-season matchup between the Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here are five key points to know heading into the game:
1. The Canadiens recently completed a four-game road trip, earning four points with a record of 1-1-2. Several players made their mark during the trip, including Nick Suzuki, who led the team with five points. Cole Caufield contributed a point per game, while Joshua Roy scored two goals. Defensemen David Savard and Arber Xhekaj showcased a strong partnership, finishing with a combined plus-eight rating. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Jayden Struble also made their return to the lineup after recovering from injuries.
2. Despite a modest home record of 12-16-3 this season, the Canadiens have had success against the Leafs when playing at the Bell Centre. They currently have a five-game winning streak against Toronto at home, dating back to May 29, 2021. Suzuki, Caufield, and Josh Anderson have been the leading scorers for the Canadiens in these matchups.
3. The Leafs are coming off two losses to the Boston Bruins, with a 2-1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres in between. Toronto holds a 4-4-5 record against Original Six opponents this season. Auston Matthews leads the team with an impressive 54 goals, putting him on pace to surpass 70 goals for the year. Former Canadien Joel Edmundson, who was recently traded to Toronto, could potentially make his debut for the Leafs in this game.
4. In honor of the historic rivalry between the two teams, Tie Domi and Chris Nilan, two legends who embody the spirit of the original rivalry, will be present at the game. Fans will have the opportunity to meet them at the OG1 boutique before the game and during the first intermission. The game will also feature various fan-oriented activities, including a guest DJ performance and the Rush Hour Rally traffic cone race.
5. The Canadiens had a day off on Friday, which coincided with the NHL Trade Deadline. The team made a notable trade, sending Jake Allen to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in 2025. Any changes to the lineup and the starting goalie will likely be announced during the pregame press conference. The game will be broadcasted on CBC, TVA Sports, and Sportsnet, with radio coverage on TSN 690 and 98,5 fm.
