What happened: Montreal leaned into local tradition on Sunday, pairing the city's brewing roots with its hockey history in a bilingual message before the outdoor showcase. The Canadiens previously rolled out custom Heritage Classic goalie gear and staged alumni festivities in Winnipeg ahead of opening faceoff.

Why it matters: The 2026 NHL Heritage Classic serves as a marquee early-season stage for the club during the 2026-27 regular season. Montreal enters the outdoor matchup while navigating questions around its center depth following Nick Suzuki's injury.

What to watch: Opening faceoff for the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic is set for 7 p.m. ET on Sunday on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, and TNT.