Kings of Leon to headline NHL Face-Off

The Grammy Award-winning band Kings of Leon will headline the 2013 Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off, the NHL's hockey, entertainment and community festival at Place des Festivals in Montreal on Oct. 1, the opening night of the NHL regular season.

The band's 40-minute performance will highlight a lineup of free activities planned for fans in Montreal and celebrates the release of the band's new album, "Mechanical Bull," out on Sept. 24. The day also will include interactive hockey attractions as well as community and fundraising activities presented by the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation and Hockey Quebec.

"The Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off is the perfect way to pick up where we left off with last season's strong finish," NHL Chief Marketing Officer Brian Jennings said in a statement. "NHL Face-Off is all about our fans -- thanking them and giving them another forum to not only rally around the excitement of a new season, but to celebrate our game in a festival environment. Holding NHL Face-Off in Montreal promises to create an incredible atmosphere and a memorable event for our fans and partners."

The celebration begins at 3 p.m. ET, rain or shine, and culminates at 7 p.m. ET with the live telecast of the season-opening game between the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs on giant video screens. There will be additional live musical performances as well as prizes and giveaways, and special guest appearances.

Kings of Leon's set in Montreal will be featured in CBC's pregame show, hosted by Ron MacLean and broadcast live throughout Canada starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. CBCSports.ca will make the entire performance available online via live stream. CBC's George Stroumboulopoulos will introduce the band. Additional musical performers and special guests will be announced at a later date.

The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation will be on hand to promote its mission and raise funds to help underprivileged children around the province adopt a healthier lifestyle through physical activity and better eating habits. Due in large part to the introduction of its Bleu Blanc Bouge program and the construction of five multipurpose and refrigerated outdoor rinks, the foundation has been able to answer the need for quality sports facilities in Montreal's less-privileged neighborhoods. Hockey Quebec also will take part in the festivities, bringing along its mascot and distributing information about its various programs.

Molson Canadian returns to NHL Face-Off as title sponsor and will be joined at the season-opening festival by League partners Scotiabank, SiriusXM, Bridgestone, Visa, Oh Henry!, Reese, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, Captain Morgan, Panini, Canada Post, Reebok, Bell and the city of Montreal. The 2013 Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off will be produced by evenko, one of the top entertainment promoters in the world.

Popular Montreal bar and lounge Le Newtown, located on Crescent Street, will host the Captain Morgan NHL After Party, starting at 10 p.m. ET. Admission is free.

The Detroit Red Wings and Fox Theatre in Detroit hosted the first-ever NHL Face-Off in 2008. The Toronto Maple Leafs served as the hosts for the 2010 NHL Face-Off in Dundas Square in downtown Toronto. The NHL marked the opening of the 2011-12 season and its return to Winnipeg with the 2011 Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off in The Forks, hosted by the Winnipeg Jets.