After missing the playoffs for the past three seasons, the Montreal Canadiens are heading into the new season with renewed optimism. However, they will now be without one of their top off-season acquisitions, Patrik Laine, for two to three months due to injury.
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During the season’s shortest month, February, the Canadiens will only play eight games, separated by a two-week holiday for the 4 Nations Face-off at the Bell Centre.
Speaking of Montreal’s busiest sports venue, the Canadiens will play four games at home and four on the road, including three games in California. There are only two Saturday contests on the slate this month.
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Here are three* games that fans should look forward to during February.
3. Feb. 4 & Feb. 27 vs. San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks won the 2024 Draft Lottery and selected Macklin Celebrini as the top pick. The 18-year-old won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in the NCAA last year and should be the centerpiece in the rebuilding Sharks lineup.
Surprisingly, the Canadiens and Sharks split their season series in 2023-24, with each team winning 3-2, with Montreal picking up their victory in a shootout.
On Feb. 4, the San Jose will host the Canadiens, the first time Celebrini will face the Original Six franchise. Meanwhile, the Sharks visit the Bell Centre on Feb. 27, allowing the rookie to skate under all the banners celebrating the team’s historic past.
2. Feb. 9 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
For the first time in 16 years, the Tampa Bay Lightning will visit Montreal without their all-time leading scorer, Steven Stamkos, who departed via free agency in July.
However, Montreal fans still have to watch reigning scoring champion Nikia Kucherov, who scored 144 points in 81 games last season. Thus far in his career, the Russian forward has 46 points in 36 games against the Canadiens.
Since meeting in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, the Lightning have dominated the Canadiens with a 9-1-1 record, including a perfect 4-0-0 mark last year.
1. Feb. 22 at Ottawa Senators
Ottawa and Montreal may only be a few hours apart on the Trans-Canada, but there is no love lost between the two franchises and their fan bases, especially after their pre-season contests.
Surprisingly, they meet on Oct. 12 and don’t lock horns again until this Feb. 22 contest in the nation’s capital. This could be a must-watch game, depending on how things play out over the season’s first four months.
Each team could be fighting for a wildcard spot, making the evening’s contest a must-win. And, of course, there is never a lack of storylines to follow when the Senators and Canadiens meet, meaning this could be one of the month’s most pivotal games.
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