Canadiens standardize their home game start times

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens announced today some changes to their schedule for weeknight games at the Bell Centre. Starting with the 2019-20 season, all games - with the exception of matinee games scheduled as part of special events such as Family Weekend - will now be scheduled for 7 p.m., just like Saturday night games. This decision also applies to all preseason games, and is in line with current trends across the National Hockey League.

According to France Margaret Belanger, executive vice president, commercial and corporate affairs: "A recent study done with our season ticket holders confirmed that it would be advantageous to move up the start time for games by 30 minutes on weeknights, which in turn allows for an earlier return home afterwards. Also according to the study, this measure will benefit the general public who wish to catch games on television or on the radio with their families."