CAR@MTL: What you need to know

MONTREAL – The Canadiens will host the Carolina Hurricanes on First Peoples Celebration Night at the Bell Centre on Saturday.

TICKETS: Hurricanes @ Canadiens 🎟️

Here’s what you need to know heading into the game:

1. The Canadiens earned their third victory in a row and their longest win streak of the season after triumphing 4-1 over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre on Thursday. Nick Suzuki, Jesse Ylönen, Joel Armia and Jake Evans found the back of the net, and Cayden Primeau made 29 saves for his third win in a row on home ice.

2. A trio of Habs set personal bests this week. First, Suzuki reached the 30-goal mark for the first time in his NHL career. Second, with an assist on the captain’s goal, Juraj Slafkovsky extended his point streak to nine games. According to NHL PR, the streak is tied for third-longest for a teenager born outside of North America in League history. Finally, Mike Matheson’s three helpers brought his season total to 51 points, marking the first time the veteran defenseman has reached the 50-point plateau in his career. Prior to Matheson, P.K. Subban was the last Canadiens blue-liner to collect 50 points in a season in 2015-16 (6-45—51 in 68 GP). 

3. Speaking of accomplishments, the Hurricanes clinched their sixth straight playoff berth on Thursday after blanking the Red Wings 4-0 at PNC Arena. Carolina ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 99 points, tied with the Boston Bruins. They’ve won seven of their last 10 games and will be looking to complete a season sweep of the Canadiens. Fans should look out for Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov who’ve enjoyed success against the Habs. 

4. Saturday’s game also marks First Peoples Celebration Night. Representatives from various Indigenous organizations and communities across Quebec will be in attendance for the evening, which will showcase the richness and diversity of Indigenous cultures. The organization has collaborated with Maliseet graphic designer Maxime Jenniss from the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation to reimagine the Canadiens' logo. The unique design will appear on in-arena visuals and on limited edition merchandise available for sale at Tricolore Sports. An auction powered by Tim Hortons and featuring items signed by former Canadiens and NHL hockey players will also raise funds for the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec in support of their educational success program. Youth from various First Nations who frequent some of Quebec’s Native Friendship Centres will also be on-hand for the game, thanks to tickets donated by Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation and Ford Canada, the Club’s corporate partner. 

5. The Canadiens will hold a morning skate in preparation for tonight’s tilt. Any changes to the lineup may be known during head coach Martin St-Louis' pregame press conference streamed live on the team’s YouTube, Facebook, and X accounts.

Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. For tickets, click here. If you can’t make it to the game, watch all the action on Citytv or TVA Sports, or listen in on TSN 690 or 98,5 fm.