VGK@MTL: What you need to know

MONTREAL – The Canadiens play host to the Vegas Golden Knights at the Bell Centre on Thursday, and they’ll have some very special fans in the crowd. 

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

1. The Canadiens (7-7-2) suffered a 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames in their previous outing on Tuesday at the Bell Centre. Gustav Lindström was the lone goal-scorer for Montreal, netting his first of the season and his first in Bleu-Blanc-Rouge. Goaltender Sam Montembeault made 27 saves in the loss.

Before the game, the organization paid tribute to former captain Pierre Turgeon, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday in Toronto. Turgeon was also added to the Canadiens’ Ring of Honor during the pregame ceremony.

2. For their part, that same day, the Golden Knights were beginning a five-game road trip with a stop in the American capital. They dropped the first contest of their trip, unable to respond to the Capitals’ three goals on the night. Still, Vegas remains atop the Pacific Division with a 12-3-1 record. William Karlsson, leads the Golden Knights with 18 points (8G, 10A), followed by Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, who have notched 15 (6G, 9A) and 14 (4G, 10A), respectively, this season. 

Both teams will be looking to get back in the wins column at the Bell Centre on Thursday. This is the second matchup of the season between the Golden Knights and the Canadiens, with Vegas emerging victorious in the shootout. 

3. Like father, like son... Canadiens players will be reunited with their fathers on Thursday at the Bell Centre, as it’s the team’s 2023 Dads Trip. For the occasion, Habs players’ fathers will be in the crowd to cheer on their sons. The biannual tradition will then continue on the road, with the paternal units accompanying the team to Boston to see their sons play the Bruins at TD Garden. Last year, the players’ moms traveled with the Club to Washington for the 2022 Moms’ Trip. 

4. Rock on! The Molson Concert Series is back this year, with another instalment on Thursday. Arrive early to get into the game and enjoy a pregame show from Rock the King with Martin Fontaine and the Porn Flakes starting at 5:30 p.m. in Canadiens Plaza. Fans at home can listen in on the Canadiens’ official Twitch account. 

5. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. For tickets, click here. You can catch all the action on TSN2 and RDS on television, or listen in on TSN 690 or 98,5 fm on the radio.