Canadiens release 2023-24 regular-season schedule

MONTREAL - The Canadiens unveiled their 2023-24 schedule on Tuesday.

Whether it be at home or on the road, the 82-game schedule has a number of can't-miss dates on the calendar.

See the full schedule below:

Here are some dates to circle on your calendar:

October 11 at Toronto

The Canadiens' first game of 2023-24 goes down in the Toronto Maple Leafs' barn.

For the occasion, there's nothing better than a classic titlt between two Original Six teams to get things going for the year.

It'll be exciting to see the Canadiens back on the ice and see the Habs' young stars pick up where they left off last season.

October 14 vs. Chicago

There's nothing better than seeing a game at the Bell Centre, even more so when it's the home opener.

The city will be buzzing with activities again, Diane Bibaud will be making magic with the keys of her legendary organ, and fans will fill the building from top to bottom to cheer on the team they love and take in the always special pregame ceremony to introduce the current edition of the team and its staff.

The matchup will be that much more interesting as the Canadiens will be facing the Chicago Blackhawks, who hold the first-overall pick at the 2023 NHL Draft. That means we should be getting to see the man expected to be taken in the No. 1 slot, Connor Bedard, in action. Stay tuned...

October 30 at Las Vegas

Don't forget to get your nachos ready - and a refreshing beverage, too - while you watch the first of two meetings between the Habs and the defending Stanley Cup champs.

Of course, the Knights' home game will be on late in Quebec, so make sure you rest up well the night before so you don't miss any of the action.

The two teams do it all again just over two weeks later, when Vegas comes to Montreal on November 16.

November 22 at Anaheim

The annual three-game California trip takes place earlier than usual this year, with a first stop in Anaheim to take on the Ducks, followed by the San Jose Sharks (November 24) and Los Angeles Kings (November 25) to cap things off.

We're betting that the time change won't get in the way of the night owls and diehard hockey fans tuning in right until the end.

December 4 vs. Seattle

The Canadiens will be turning 114 on December 4, and what better way to celebrate than a game between the League's oldest team and its youngest.

The showdown will happen at home, the first time the team will be at home for its birthday since 2018.

December 16 vs. NY Islanders

Don't miss the final Canadiens game at the Bell Centre in 2023!

The team will welcome the New York Islanders in what is sure to be a festive evening in the lead-up to the holiday season.

With the Islanders having made the Playoffs this past spring, the Habs will have to keep an eye out on players like Brock Nelson, Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Noah Dobson, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

December 28 at Carolina

Following a much-deserved break and a bit of turkey in the belly, the Canadiens get back on the road after Christmas with a stop in Carolina to see the Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

The 'Canes game should be an entertaining one, after Rod Brind'Amour's troops made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final before bowing out to the Florida Panthers.

January 4 vs. Buffalo

After a long absence, the Habs finally return to the Bell Centre in early January to play host to the Buffalo Sabres.

We'll have to wait and see if young goaltending sensation Devon Levi will be in the crease after playing seven NHL games last season. If so, it'll be a special moment for the Dollard-des-Ormeaux native, who won five of those games with a .905 save percentage, and his family.

February 10 vs. Dallas & February 11 vs. St. Louis

The traditional Family Weekend is once again on the docket during the NFL's Super Bowl Weekend.

The pair of matinée games are the perfect opportunity to introduce the little ones to the Bell Centre atmosphere. The Dallas Stars visit on the Saturday, while it'll be the St. Louis Blues on the visitors' bench on the Sunday afternoon.

March 14 vs. Boston

Canadiens-Bruins... need we say more?

This game will be your last chance to see archrival Boston play in Montreal this season - the first home game is set for November 11 at the Bell Centre.

Jim Montgomery's squad enjoyed a record-setting season last year, winning 65 of 82 games courtesy of leaders David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and captain Patrice Bergeron.

The hockey world is curious to see whether the B's can repeat the feat after they toppled the record for most wins in a season previously held by the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning and 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings.

March 16 at Calgary

A stop in Colorado is being tacked onto Montreal's traditional visit to Western Canada and Seattle this season.

It'll be the longest trip of the year for Montreal. Martin St-Louis troops set foot in Calgary first on March 16 to take on Sean Monahan's former squad before visiting the Flames' provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, to face off against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl three days later. The team then moves on to Vancouver (March 21), Seattle (March 24), and Denver (March 26).

April 16 vs. Detroit

The Canadiens close out their season with a matchup with the Red Wings at the Bell Centre.

There will be plenty of contests and initiatives to celebrate Habs supporters, as the final game of the season marks the end of the Canadiens' annual Fan Appreciation Week.

To learn more about ticket on-sale dates, follow the Canadiens across all social media accounts at @CanadiensMTL.