WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE BELL CENTRE
Get fired up
There’s no place like the Bell Centre for playoff hockey. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:50 p.m. to not miss the pregame show.
Rally towel giveaway
Commemorative playoff rally towels will be placed on every seat at the Bell Centre for every home playoff game.
Watch Party – Street Edition
The official Habs watch party for every home playoff game is taking place on Avenue des Canadiens, outside the Bell Centre.
Fan Jam presented by La Cage
The official pregame party for every home playoff game is taking place in Canadiens Plaza, outside the Bell Centre. The outdoor site will be open to all from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
A variety of activations will be available on-site, including:
- A free permanent tattoo parlor presented by Adrenaline Montreal and La Cage. Tattoos are offered from a selection of premade designs, on a first-come, first-served basis;
- A giant interactive torch sculpture presented by Air Canada. Fans can control the intensity of the Fan Flame, plus enter to win daily prizes, by clicking here;
- Paid food and beverage options available from La Cage;
- A rivalry dunk tank giving fans a chance to submerge an unruly guest;
- Live pregame broadcast booths by 98,5 fm and TSN 690;
- An outdoor Tricolore Sports location;
- And other surprises from team partners!
For more details about the Fan Jam, click here.
Playoff 50/50 raffle
The 50/50 sales from all first-round games will be combined into one massive jackpot at the end of the series.
Fans 18+ in Quebec can buy raffle tickets at the Bell Centre or by clicking here, for a chance to win big.
Hear the Habs on the Montreal metro
Public transit is the best way to get to the Bell Centre during the playoffs, especially when the Habs are the official voice of the Montreal metro!
Fans traveling to the game on the metro can hear the on-board announcements for Bonaventure and Lucien-L'Allien stations made by Canadiens players during the playoffs.
For more details about the initiative, click here.
Special concession items
- Chili cheese fries and Canadiens cookies will be available at La Classique concession locations;
- A shareable MEGA poutine will be available at participating concessions in M2 Marché Montréal Loto-Québec;
- A new spicy chicken wings concession will be open in M2 Marché Montréal Loto-Québec.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Job’s not finished
The Canadiens head into Friday with a chance to close out the series––but nothing about this moment is automatic. Against a seasoned Tampa Bay group that won’t rattle easily, Montreal will need to stay locked in from puck drop to final horn. For what it’s worth, history is on their side. Per NHL PR, the Canadiens are 7-1 all-time at home in Game 6s when leading a series 3-2.
Secondary scoring
Depth scoring has driven Montreal to the brink––and it’ll likely have to finish the job. The trio of Kirby Dach, Zachary Bolduc and Alexandre Texier has sparked the attack since coming together in Game 3, combining for five goals and 11 points in just three games. In a series where matchups tighten and top lines draw the spotlight, contributions from elsewhere could once again tilt the balance.
Stay present
For many of the Habs, clinching an NHL playoff series is unfamiliar territory. For others, it’s been a long wait since their last opportunity in 2021. Either way, the moment carries weight. The challenge now is to not let it grow bigger than the game itself. Stick to the structure, trust the process, and focus on the next shift––not the outcome.
HEAD TO HEAD
Regular season
Dec. 9 vs. TBL: 6-1 TBL
Dec. 28 @ TBL: 5-4 TBL (SO)
Mar. 31 @ TBL: 4-1 MTL
Apr. 9 vs. TBL: 2-1 MTL
Playoffs
Game 1 | Apr. 19 @ TBL: 4-3 MTL (OT)
Game 2 | Apr. 21 @ TBL: 3-2 TBL (OT)
Game 3 | Apr. 24 vs. TBL: 3-2 MTL (OT)
Game 4 | Apr. 26 vs. TBL: 3-2 TBL
Game 5 | Apr. 29 @ TBL: 3-2 MTL
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR
Brendan Gallagher’s return to the lineup in Game 5 proved effective––difference making even. With the home crowd on his side, expect the emotional forward to leave it all on the line on Friday.
Jake Guentzel enter’s Game 6 on a seven-game point streak dating back to the regular season. The American leads the Lightning in playoff scoring with eight points in five games.
BY THE NUMBERS: HABS-BOLTS
Here’s how the Canadiens and Lightning match up by the numbers:
