Game 1: What you need to know

LAS VEGAS - The Canadiens open their series against the Golden Knights on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena.

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Here's everything you need to know heading into Game 1:
Looking back
The Canadiens were dominant in their second-round series against the Jets. Montreal outscored Winnipeg by a 14-6 margin in just four games. The Habs became the third team in NHL history to sweep a playoff series after overcoming a 3-1 series deficit in the previous round. Montreal was also just the second team in League history to win two seven-game series in a span of eight days (May 31 - June 7). It was the 23rd sweep in franchise history.
Dominique Ducharme's troops will begin the Stanley Cup Semifinals on a seven-game winning streak. It's the Canadiens' longest postseason stretch since 1993 when they secured 11 straight straight victories en route to winning their 24th Stanley Cup title.
For his part, Ducharme became the fifth head coach in NHL history to win at least seven consecutive games in his first playoff run, joining Guy Boucher (8 games in 2011 with Tampa Bay), Lindy Ruff (8 games in 1998 with Buffalo), John Muckler (8 games in 1990 with Edmonton) and Pat Burns (7 games in 1989 with Montreal).
Tweet from @CanadiensMTL: CETTE ��QUIPE ������#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/UC9PbUvHBd
This is the first playoff matchup between the Canadiens and the Golden Knights. Montreal boasts a 5-1-0 record in six regular season games against Vegas. Along with reaching the Stanley Cup Final, the winner of the series will claim the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl.
Watch list
Confident when leading:The Canadiens have been playing their best hockey since facing elimination in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Montreal hasn't trailed in a game for 437:53, which is the second-longest stretch in NHL playoff history. It was actually the Canadiens who set the record in that department in 1960 when they didn't trail for 488:38. While eliminating the Jets, the Canadiens swept a seven-game series without ever trailing for the seventh time in franchise history. It was the first time that happened since the 1978 semi-final versus the Maple Leafs. Since Game 5 of the Toronto series, Ducharme has seen offensive contributions from up and down his lineup. Nineteen of his players have recorded at least one point in the 2021 playoffs. The franchise record was established in 1987 when 21 players registered their names on the scoresheet.
Tweet from @CanadiensMTL: 👑 🇨🇦 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/3u0RyLfvHg
Rising to the occasion:Goaltender Carey Price has been outstanding during the postseason. Like the players in front of him, the Anahim Lake, BC native hasn't given his opponents much during the seven-game winning streak. The 33-year-old has compiled a 1.64 goals-against average, along with a .943 save percentage and one shutout in his last seven outings. The former fifth-overall selection of the Canadiens in 2005 has an 8-3 record in the playoffs, along with a 1.97 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. In three career regular season appearances against Vegas, Price has a 2-1-0 record, along with a 3.40 goals-against average and a .886 save percentage.
Tweet from @CanadiensMTL: Quel homme.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/sTGMy1Ut9S
Picking up where he left off:After leading the Canadiens in scoring during the regular season with 44 points (28 goals, 16 assists), Tyler Toffoli has been the group's top offensive weapon in the playoffs too. The 29-year-old winger has 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) to date, but his most important goal came in overtime against the Jets in Game 4. Toffoli became the first Canadiens player to score an overtime series-clinching goal since Kirk Muller accomplished the feat in Game 4 of the Division Final in 1993. The Scarborough, ON native is currently riding a six-game point streak, which is a career-high in the postseason. Toffoli became the fifth Canadiens player in the last 25 years to string together a playoff point streak of at least six games, joining Saku Koivu (7 games in 2008), P.K. Subban (6 games in 2014), Michael Cammalleri (6 games in 2010) and Alex Kovalev (6 gams in 2004).
Tweet from @CanadiensMTL: "I Was Meant To Be a Hab" - @tytoff16#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/q3eaFNqvHs
What's on tap?
Fan activations are presented by four pillar partners RONA, Scotiabank, Lafleur and Ford.
Details on all of the team's postseason initiatives, including schedules and direct links to the appropriate content platforms, can be found at canadiens.com/playoffs.
At the other end
The Golden Knights overcame a 2-0 deficit in their second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche, the top team in the regular season, winning four in a row. In doing so, Vegas became the third franchise in NHL history to reach the semifinals in three of its first four years in the League.
Peter DeBoer's contingent won its first-round matchup against the Minnesota Wild in seven games.
Tweet from @GoldenKnights: WE LOVE WINNING SERIES ON HOME ICE 🏰 #KnightUp pic.twitter.com/87UTpsZEqS
Watch list
Climbing the ranks:Marc-André Fleury continues to cement his place among the top goaltenders in NHL history. In eliminating the Avalanche, the Sorel, QC native registered the 89th playoff win of his career, surpassing Billy Smith and Ed Belfour to take sole possession of fourth spot in League history in that category. He's just three wins away from tying Grant Fuhr for third place. Fleury faced the Canadiens once in the playoffs while still a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fans surely remember Montreal's win over Pittsburgh in seven games in 2010. For his part, Fleury posted a 2.82 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage. In 42 career regular season meetings versus Montreal, the former first-overall selection in 2003 has a 22-13-6 record, along with a 3.12 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.
Tweet from @GoldenKnights: Marc-Andre Fleury has taken sole possession of fourth on the all-time playoffs wins list with his 89th postseason win!!!!!!!!! 🌸🐐 #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/ZtmBZE5EtT
An old friend:Certain Habs will see a familiar face on the opposite side of the ice in left-winger Max Pacioretty, who played 626 regular season games and 38 playoff games with the Canadiens. In three career regular games against Montreal, the New Canaan, CT native has recorded two points (1 goal, 1 assist). Pacioretty missed the Golden Knights' first six postseason games this year due to injury, but he has points in seven consecutive games since returning. The 32-year-old forward has eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in seven playoff appearances.
Tweet from @GoldenKnights: Pacio-perfect 👌#VegasBorn | @Raising\_Canes pic.twitter.com/pKo2cDqqMg
No shortage of firepower:DeBoer's squad has plenty of offensive weapons delivering the goods right now. Sixteen Golden Knights players have scored at least one goal in the playoffs this year, which is tops in the NHL. Centreman William Karlsson leads Vegas with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists), while winger Jonathan Marchessault boasts a team-leading six goals in 13 games. For his part, captain Mark Stone scored the overtime-winner in Game 5 against Colorado and has eight points (5 goals, 3 assists).
Tweet from @GoldenKnights: The Captain. The Winner. #KnightUp pic.twitter.com/9nFkXYHi8Z
On paper
Here a few key stats from both teams in the playoffs:
Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET. You can watch the game on CBC, Sportsnet and TVA Sports, and listen to all the action on TSN Radio 690 and 98,5 fm.
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