The Vegas Golden Knights have more Quebec-born players than the Montreal Canadiens
An against-the-odds comeback against and old rival, a sweeping victory in round two: the Montreal Canadiens have brought hope and excitement to a province in great need of a pick-me-up.
In some ways, the team’s victories have come to represent a newfound gusto in Quebec as it slowly re-emerges, hopefully for the last time, from pandemic-era restrictions.
In recent weeks, anti-Toronto chants have filled the air, brooms were brought to sweep the stadium-streets after Game 4 against the Jets, and Habs fans rejoined loved ones on terrasses to root for their beloved bleu-blanc-rouge.
What could be more Quebecois?
How about the roster?
On Monday, at 9 p.m. the Montreal Canadiens will start the semifinals against the Las Vegas Golden Knights: a desert-state team with more Quebec-born players that the province’s own roster.
The Habs are running three Quebecers this season, all in centre position: Alex Belzile (Riviere-du-loup), Phillip Danault (Victoriaville), and Laurent Dauphin (Repentigny).
On the Knights side: Centres Jonathan Marchessault (Cap-Rouge) and Nicolas Roy (Amos), Left-Winger William Carrier (LaSalle), and Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (Sorel).
“I sincerely hope for a loss for the Canadiens,” wrote Luc Ferrandez, former Plateau-Mont-Royal borough mayor, on social media Friday.
“I hope it hurts and that we tell ourselves forever that we could have won with more Quebec players.”
SUPPORT ACROSS CANADA
As the only Canadian team remaining in the playoffs, other major cities have put aside (some) of their differences to rally around the Canadiens.
On Thursday, the Habs flag was hoisted above Toronto city hall, as Mayor John Tory made good on a bet to Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante.
At the provincial level, Premier Doug Ford wore a Canadiens jersey on the short end of a bet to Premier Francois Legault to give a word of support to the rival team:
“Bring the Stanley Cup home to Canada!”
Even with a minority of Quebec-born players, the Habs have a lead on running Canadians -- but it's a small one. On the Habs side, 19 players were born north of the border, while Vegas has only 17.
But who’s counting?
NHL playoff semifinals begin Monday, June 14, at 9 p.m. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Follow along with CTV’s liveblog for real-time updates through the game.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.