The Montreal Canadiens are set to welcome the Seattle Kraken to the Bell Centre in Montreal on October 14, 2025, for a matchup that is turning heads for more reasons than just early-season standings. Both teams are coming off impressive starts, with the Kraken boasting a 2-0 record in the Pacific Division after a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Canadiens holding a 2-1 record in the Atlantic Division. But the excitement in Montreal runs deeper than the scoreboard, as a whirlwind offseason and a landmark broadcast deal have energized the city’s hockey faithful.
Let’s start with the on-ice action. The Kraken, who finished last season with a 35-41-6 overall record and a 17-23-1 mark on the road, have come out swinging this year. Their recent overtime victory over the defending champion Golden Knights sent a message that this Seattle squad isn’t content to be an afterthought. Averaging 3.0 goals on 27.3 shots per game last season, the Kraken are striving for greater consistency and looking to build on their early momentum.
Montreal, meanwhile, has been no slouch. Last season, the Canadiens posted a 40-31-11 record, including an impressive 24-13-6 at home—a fortress they’ll be eager to defend against Seattle. Their power play was a reliable weapon, converting 47 times on 234 chances for a 20.1% success rate. As the new season unfolds, the Habs are hoping to keep that edge, especially with a rejuvenated roster and a hungry fanbase behind them.
But what’s fueling this optimism in Montreal? Look no further than the Canadiens’ bold moves during the 2025 offseason. The headline acquisition was defenseman Noah Dobson, pried from the New York Islanders in a deal that immediately solidified Montreal’s blue line. Dobson’s arrival created a logjam on defense, making former first-round pick Logan Mailloux expendable. That set the stage for a hockey trade with the St. Louis Blues, who were seeking to shore up their own defensive corps.
The result? A swap of former first-rounders: Mailloux headed to St. Louis, while Montreal welcomed Zack Bolduc. Initially, the deal barely registered outside the inner circles of hockey insiders. But just three games into the 2025-26 campaign, it’s clear the Canadiens may have struck gold. Bolduc has been nothing short of sensational, notching three goals and one assist for four points in his first three outings. Even more impressive, he’s found the net in every game so far, quickly finding chemistry with linemates Kirby Dach and Brendan Gallagher on the Habs’ third line.
Bolduc’s ice time tells the story of a player earning his coach’s trust at warp speed. In the opening night loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he logged 13 minutes and 34 seconds. That jumped to 14:52 against the Detroit Red Wings in Montreal’s first win, and nearly 17 minutes in his most recent outing. It’s a clear sign that coach Martin St. Louis is buying what Bolduc is selling. As one local analyst put it, “Bolduc looks poised to have a terrific season, while Mailloux could have a pedestrian one in St. Louis.”
Of course, it’s still early days. Mailloux, for his part, has appeared in two games for the Blues this season. While he hasn’t dazzled, observers caution that it’s far too soon to write him off. “Mailloux is still a talented young blueliner who could become a solid NHLer down the line,” one scout noted. But for now, the early returns favor Montreal, who drew from a position of strength to address an immediate need up front.
These roster moves come at a time when the Canadiens are enjoying a renaissance off the ice as well. On October 13, 2025, the organization announced a landmark, long-term broadcast rights partnership with TSN and RDS, ensuring that Canada’s Sports Leaders remain the home of Montreal Canadiens regional broadcasts for years to come. The deal is a boon for fans across Quebec and Atlantic Canada, who will continue to enjoy live games and shoulder programming on TSN2, TSN.ca, the TSN app, and RDS.
France Margaret Bélanger, President of Groupe CH Sports and Entertainment, couldn’t hide her excitement: “We’ve been fortunate to count TSN and RDS as valued partners for many years, and we’re thrilled to formally extend this collaboration for years to come. Whether through live games or shoulder programming, this will allow fans to enjoy their Canadiens in a host of forms with industry-best production.”
Shawn Redmond, VP of Bell Media Sports, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the team’s youthful energy and devoted supporters. “The Montreal Canadiens are an iconic franchise with a dynamic roster of exciting young stars, and one of the most passionate fanbases in all of sports. With this new long-term agreement in place, we look forward to continuing to bring Canadiens games to TSN and RDS subscribers.”
As if that weren’t enough, fans can also go behind the scenes with Crave’s documentary series, The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens. The show, now in its second season, follows the team throughout the 2024-25 campaign, chronicling their journey from the bottom of the standings to a coveted playoff spot. It’s been a smash hit, becoming the most successful documentary series in Quebec and Canada for 2024, and ranking among Crave’s top five non-fiction titles in both French and English. For those keeping score, the series is narrated by Marc-André Grondin in French and voiced by George Stroumboulopoulos in English.
So, what should fans expect when the puck drops in Montreal? Both teams enter the contest healthy, with no injuries reported for either side. The Canadiens are eager to showcase their new-look lineup and capitalize on their home-ice advantage, while the Kraken, fresh off their overtime heroics, will be looking to spoil the party and keep their perfect record intact. It’s a matchup that promises speed, skill, and maybe a few surprises—especially with Bolduc’s hot stick and Dobson’s steady presence on the blue line.
There’s still plenty of hockey to be played this season, and while it’s tempting to draw sweeping conclusions from a handful of games, one thing is clear: the Montreal Canadiens are a team on the rise, both on and off the ice. With a dynamic roster, savvy front-office moves, and a new broadcast era underway, the Habs are giving their fans plenty of reasons to believe. As the Kraken come to town, all eyes will be on Bolduc, Dobson, and the rest of this evolving squad. The Bell Centre will be buzzing, and the hockey world will be watching closely to see which team seizes the early momentum.
With anticipation running high and storylines aplenty, Tuesday night’s clash between the Canadiens and Kraken is shaping up to be a must-watch affair. Whether you’re tuning in on TSN, RDS, or following the action from the stands, it’s clear that hockey in Montreal has rarely felt more alive.
