Montreal Canadiens meet red hot Ottawa Senators in Round 1
Series marks 2nd playoff meeting of Habs and Sens
This likely wasn't the match up the Montreal Canadiens were hoping for, but the first round of the NHL playoffs will be a rematch of the 2013 first round against the Ottawa Senators.
- Canadiens goalie Carey Price 'a country boy at heart': Peter Mansbridge
- Carey Price can't do everything for Canadiens
- Hammond, Stone help Senators clinch playoff berth
Coming into the post-season, the Senators are one of the NHL's hottest teams.
The Sens season seemed done until Andrew Hammond took over between the pipes.
Hammond has posted a stunning 20-1-2 record and the Sens clawed themselves into a wild card spot with a win on the last day of the regular season.
The rematch
The Habs last faced off against Ottawa in the 2013 playoffs.
In that series, just like this year, the Habs had the home ice advantage and, based on the regular season record, were also considered the favourites.
But injuries hit the Canadiens hard in that series.
Lars Eller was knocked out and left bleeding on the ice after a Eric Gyrba hit in Game 1. Captain Brian Gionta was sidelined with a torn bicep.
Carey Price didn't finish the series after suffering a knee injury and Max Pacioretty was limited with a shoulder injury.
The Sens eliminated the Habs in five games.
This year's series will mark only the 2nd meeting between Montreal and Ottawa in the playoffs since the Senators joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1992.
Pacioretty to play?
Habs forward Max Pacioretty skated with his teammates at practice in Brossard on Monday.
It was his first time on the ice since he smacked his head against the boards during a game in Florida on April 5.
Pacioretty said after practice that he was still unsure about his status for Game 1.
He said he was feeling much better but he has so far not been cleared for contact by team doctors.
Pacioretty did not confirm if he suffered a concussion.
Coach Michel Therrien was also unclear about if his star forward would be available for Game 1 or not.
"He will play when he's ready — it could be Wednesday, it could be Friday, it could be Sunday," Therrien said.
Game 1 between the Canadiens and the Senators takes place Wednesday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal.