Home sweet home

MONTREAL - The Canadiens will play their 109th home opener in franchise history on Thursday, October 11, when the Los Angeles Kings visit the Bell Centre.

The Habs have a 60-31-15-2 record in home openers over the years. They also boast an impressive 50-11-11 record in 72 games against the Kings.
Over the last five seasons, the Canadiens are 3-1-1 in their first game of the regular season on home turf in Montreal.
The Habs have also blanked the opposition on two occasions in their last five home openers at the Bell Centre. Al Montoya turned aside 36 shots against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016, while Carey Price made 25 stops against the New York Rangers in 2015.

Veteran Tomas Plekanec is the most experienced Habs player in terms of home openers. The 35-year-old Czech centerman has four goals and 11 points in 13 games.
Jonathan Drouin also enjoyed success in home openers while still a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In three games, Drouin scored once and added three assists.
Thursday night's game will also be a first for forwards Tomas Tatar, Max Domi, Joel Armia, Matthew Peca and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, as well as defenseman Xavier Ouellet. They will all be taking part in their first home opener on Bell Centre ice.