{"id":550494,"date":"2026-04-11T18:18:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T18:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/550494\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T18:18:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T18:18:22","slug":"fans-ready-for-montreal-canadiens-last-home-game-before-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/550494\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans ready for Montreal Canadiens\u2019 last home game before playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anticipation is building in downtown Montreal as the Canadiens prepare to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in their final home game of the regular season Saturday night, with fans gathering outside the Bell Centre ahead of puck drop.<\/p>\n

For some, the moment carries extra meaning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m super excited. And I\u2019m very nervous at the same time. It\u2019s my first time in Montreal,\u201d said one fan who travelled in for the game. \u201cI feel like they did so much. They\u2019re doing incredible. They\u2019re so good.\u201d<\/p>\n

The matchup marks the last chance for fans to see the team at home before the Canadiens wrap up the regular season Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers.<\/p>\n

With a playoff spot already secured, the game feels more like a buildup to the postseason than an ending.<\/p>\n

\"\"Montreal Canadiens fans outside the Bell Centre on April 11, 2026, ahead of the team\u2019s final home game before the playoffs. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)<\/p>\n

Fans embrace playoff momentum<\/p>\n

Montreal clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second straight season on April 5, when the Minnesota Wild defeated the Detroit Red Wings.<\/p>\n

The Canadiens secured their place with six games remaining on the schedule, following a late-season surge that included an eight-game winning streak.<\/p>\n

That momentum is something fans can feel \u2014 even for those coming in from outside the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling pretty good. I think the Habs should get her done again, just like they did on Thursday night,\u201d said one supporter. \u201cThey\u2019re an absolute wagon right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Montreal Canadiens fans gather outside the Bell Centre on April 11, 2026, ahead of the team\u2019s final home game before the playoffs. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a strong year for a young roster that has continued to develop, giving fans reason for optimism heading into the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Captain Nick Suzuki has led the way offensively, reaching the 90-point mark, while several younger players have made key contributions across the lineup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe guys have been playing really good, playing full three periods of hockey. Always nervous going into a game, but should be all right. We got the W. Nothing to worry about,\u201d said another fan who made the trip from the Ottawa Valley. \u201c<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a growing belief that this group could exceed expectations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019re going to surprise a lot of people,\u201d said another fan. \u201cI think they\u2019re going to win, go deep, have a big run.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"A \u201cGo Habs Go\u201d sign , seen outside the Bell Centre on April 11, 2026. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)<\/p>\n

Caufield hits milestone ahead of Saturday night<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s game also comes just days after a major milestone for Cole Caufield.<\/p>\n

The Canadiens forward scored his 50th goal of the season Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first Montreal player in 36 years to reach the mark.<\/p>\n

\"\"Montreal Canadiens\u2019 Cole Caufield (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring his 50th goal, during second period NHL hockey action against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in Montreal on Thursday, April 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Christopher Katsarov<\/p>\n

Some fans are eager for his performance in Saturday night\u2019s game. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an excellent day. We are going to the game tonight,\u201d said one fan. \u201cAnd we expect to see another goal from Cole Caufield.\u201d<\/p>\n

The achievement resonates deeply with longtime supporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great thing for him. The last guy who did it, it\u2019s Stephane Richer. He was a great player a long time ago,\u201d he added. \u201cSo it\u2019s great for him. I\u2019m proud to be a fan of Montreal Canadiens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Fans cheer Montreal Canadiens\u2019 Cole Caufield (13) after scoring his 50th goal, during second period NHL hockey action against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in Montreal on Thursday, April 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Christopher Katsarov<\/p>\n

Caufield is the seventh player in franchise history to score 50 goals in a season, joining a list that includes Guy Lafleur and Maurice Richard.<\/p>\n

He is also one of only two NHL players to reach the milestone this season, alongside Colorado\u2019s Nathan MacKinnon, as he enters the race for the Maurice \u201cRocket\u201d Richard Trophy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was five years old last time we had a 50-goal scorer on the team,\u201d said another supporter. \u201cSuzuki\u2019s two away from 100. Slav has 30 goals. I don\u2019t remember a time being this excited\u2026 it\u2019s a good time to be a Habs fan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recognition behind the scenes<\/p>\n

While much of the spotlight has centred on offensive achievements, recognition has also come for consistency and reliability.<\/p>\n

Defenseman Mike Matheson has been named this season\u2019s recipient of the Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy, as voted by members of the media who cover the team. The award honours a player whose importance to the Canadiens isn\u2019t always reflected in major accolades.<\/p>\n

Matheson led the vote with 89 points, finishing ahead of teammates Noah Dobson and Oliver Kapanen, and follows Josh Anderson as last year\u2019s recipient.<\/p>\n

Through 76 games, the veteran blueliner has recorded seven goals and 30 assists while averaging a team-high 24:14 of ice time per game. A steady presence in all situations, he has also taken on a leading role on the penalty kill, topping the league in average shorthanded ice time, while reaching a career high in even-strength production.<\/p>\n

Established in 1981 in honour of longtime sportswriter Jacques Beauchamp, the award reflects the kind of quiet impact Matheson has delivered throughout the season.<\/p>\n

Tickets in demand<\/p>\n

Tickets for the Canadiens\u2019 playoff run went on sale to the public Friday at noon, with strong demand expected as the team returns to the postseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have season tickets. So I already have my ticket for all the playoffs,\u201d said one fan.<\/p>\n

Fans who signed up in advance were given priority access earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

\"\"A Montreal Canadiens fan outside the Bell Centre on April 11, 2026, ahead of the team\u2019s final home game before the playoffs. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)<\/p>\n

One more home game before playoffs<\/p>\n

Montreal was eliminated in five games by the Washington Capitals in the first round last season, but expectations are higher this year as the team heads back to the postseason.<\/p>\n

For some, the moment is worth travelling for.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to the game tonight. We\u2019re looking forward to it. We\u2019re from New Hampshire. Big Canadiens fans,\u201d said one visitor. \u201cThis is it. This is what it\u2019s all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed to the team\u2019s long-term growth as a reason for optimism.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the management has done their job. They signed youth and they stuck with them and they developed and they\u2019re doing an amazing job. Coaching all the way to the players.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The exterior of the Bell Centre on April 11, 2026, ahead of the Montreal Canadiens\u2019 final home game before the playoffs. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)<\/p>\n

There\u2019s excitement \u2014 but also patience.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne game at a time,\u201d he added. \u201cThey got youth and it\u2019s fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

With one home game left and two more on the road on Sunday and Tuesday, the focus is already starting to shift \u2014 but for fans outside the Bell Centre, the excitement for Saturday night is already at full volume.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are young, but they are very good,\u201d said one fan. \u201cThey could go very far.\u201d<\/p>\n

For some fans, the message was one of appreciation. <\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to thank the team for a great season, giving all us fans something really good to cheer for and having, you know, no quitting them. It\u2019s been, it\u2019s been real special. Families getting together over hockey and good time to be proud in Montreal. Good time to be proud in Montreal,\u201d said another fan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Anticipation is building in downtown Montreal as the Canadiens prepare to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in their…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":550495,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5103],"tags":[265,5,264,21,5147,4],"class_list":{"0":"post-550494","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-montreal-canadiens","8":"tag-canadiens","9":"tag-hockey","10":"tag-montreal","11":"tag-montreal-canadiens","12":"tag-montrealcanadiens","13":"tag-nhl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116387453424621571","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/550494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=550494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/550494\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/550495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=550494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=550494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=550494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}