Followers started gathering outdoors the Bell Centre hours earlier than puck drop, because the Montreal Canadiens ready for a pivotal Sport 6 matchup in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning with an opportunity to clinch the sequence on residence ice.
By mid-afternoon, Canadiens Plaza and surrounding streets had been already filling with a sea of pink, white and blue as supporters arrived early to soak up the playoff environment.
Teams of followers posed for pictures, waved flags and broke into chants of “Go Habs Go,” constructing anticipation forward of what could possibly be a defining evening in Montreal’s playoff run.
Fan anticipation reaches a fever pitch
Pleasure continued to construct within the hours main as much as puck drop, with followers travelling from throughout Quebec, Canada and past for a possible series-clinching recreation.
For some, it marked their first playoff expertise.
“I’m very excited. That is my first playoff recreation,” one lady stated. “I’ve solely ever been to 1 NHL recreation, so that is going to be undoubtedly an enormous reminiscence for me.”
She stated the potential for a win had already sparked plans for a celebration.
“In the event that they win this recreation, I’m going to the on line casino tonight and spending as a lot as I can,” she stated.
For others heading into the world, confidence within the Canadiens was simply as excessive.
“So fired up. Phrases can not clarify proper now,” one man stated. “Hopefully they will do it tonight. We’ll see what occurs.”
He pointed to Montreal’s Sport 5 win in Tampa as an indication of momentum.
“Not frightened. They take Sport 5 in Tampa, they will take Sport 6 at residence,” he stated.
Requested how he would react if the Canadiens clinched the sequence, he didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll most likely streak the ice if I can,” he stated, laughing. “However we’ll see. No, I’ll be excited. It’ll be good for a change, a playoff win. This can be a good little redemption shot for the boys.”
He additionally highlighted key contributors.
“Slaf has been an absolute weapon on this sequence,” he stated. “And hopefully Caufield continues to show it up. He’s been a bit quiet, however perhaps we’ll see some shine on this recreation.”
Not all followers made the journey from close by. Some travelled hundreds of kilometres to be a part of the second.
“I believe it’s higher to win the final recreation, it’s higher to win at residence,” one man stated, including proudly, “I’m from Belgium.”
He stated his connection to the group grew whereas taking part in hockey in Canada.
“My favourite group is Montreal,” he stated.
Others made important monetary and logistical commitments to attend. Two followers flew in from Newfoundland the day earlier than for the sport.
The group stated they paid $1,700 for a pair of tickets.
“Nicely value it,” one fan stated.
Regardless of the associated fee, confidence remained excessive.
“I believe they’ve obtained it within the bag,” he stated. “It’s good that they’re again from Tampa now. Up 3-2 moderately than attempting to battle for a Sport 7. I believe they will pull it residence at present.”
If the Canadiens win, he added: “I’ll really feel fairly pleased. I believe that is their 12 months.”
His accomplice shared the optimism.
“They’re placing up a battle and so they’re not backing down,” she stated. “They will hold that momentum going and so they’ll take it residence. You’ve obtained to really feel good. You’ve obtained to have the constructive vibes.”
One other group, additionally visiting from Halifax, stated they secured tickets via the season ticket waitlist.
“Received them at $200 every within the 300 part,” one man stated. “It was good… Didn’t should go aftermarket.”
“Excited, man. It’s going to be good,” he added.
One other fan stated group chemistry had him satisfied.
“We’re wired,” he stated.
“Boys are getting it achieved, Habs in six.”
Extra fan voices forward of puck drop
One returning fan stated confidence was unwavering forward of Sport 6.
“Very assured. Habs will win tonight for certain. Now that Gally’s again within the lineup, he made a distinction final recreation. He’s going to make one other distinction tonight,” he stated.
One other group stated their assist for the Canadiens has solely grown over time.
“We simply benefit from the environment. We like the massive metropolis. We’re huge hockey followers, so we go to a lot of video games,” one man stated.
“We’ve been Habs followers for years. We additionally observe a few the Canadian groups, however it is a nice group to observe. It’s a younger group, it’s a robust group, and we got here as much as see one thing occur tonight.”
Confidence, he added, remained excessive.
“I really feel very assured. They’re going to take it residence. They completed it, they set it up a few nights in the past in Tampa, and that is it tonight.”
Help stretches far past Montreal
The thrill isn’t restricted to the town. At Collège Bourget in Rigaud, college students got particular permission to swap their uniforms for Canadiens jerseys, exhibiting their assist from afar and highlighting the group’s attain throughout Quebec.
