Canadiens vs. Senators: Game Thread, roster, lines, and how to watch

The Canadiens are off to one of their best starts in franchise history, welcoming the Senators tonight to the Bell Center for their second contest of the year. When I asked the internet what the Canadiens' best start to a season was, I was surprised to read that they actually had one of their best starts ever 3 years ago, in 2012-13 during the shortened lock-out season when they went 20-5-5 in their first 30 games.

That was also the year that Michel Therrien became the Habs head coach for the second time in his career, and Habs fans were also introduced to Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. It was also the year that seeds were planted for the Canadiens and Senators rivalry that seems to becoming a reality, and not just a media fabrication, the year of "Player 61" and "The Walrus".

The Canadiens will go to work at surpassing the 2012-13 4th best ever Canadiens start to a season, still without Carey Price, when they face a Senators team who is also without one of their key players, Mark Stone.

The Senators are coming off a home-at-home with the Detroit Red Wings, having won Friday night at home and losing Saturday night in Detroit. The Sens have been in a slide since they last met the Canadiens, having only won 3 of their last 8 games, having allowed an average 3.5 goals-against, and scoring at the exact same rate. The Senators are 1 game over .500 (5-4-2), and are still waiting for Erik Karlson to break out, as the two-time Norris winner has yet to score this season (but has registered 11 assists in 11 games).

Mike Condon will be back between the pipes for the Habs tonight after earning his 4th win in 4 starts on Sunday night. The Princeton University alumna has a .944 sv % and 1.51 GAA. There will be no changes made to the Canadiens' line-up, with the exception of Devante Smith-Pelly being moved to the second line, and Brian Flynn falling back to the 4th line.

The puck drops at 7:30PM EST.

How To Watch:

In the Canadiens' region (French): RDS
In the Canadiens' region (English): CITYM, SN East
In the Senators' region: SN5
Elsewhere: NHL GameCenter, NHL Center Ice

Scratched: Jarred Tinordi, Alexander Semin
Injuries: Carey Price (lower body), Michael Bournival (post-concussion syndrome)

Scratched: Chris Wideman
Injuries: Chris Phillips (back), Clarke MacArthur (concussion)
Suspended: Mark Stone (2 games)

Check out the enemy over at Silver Seven.

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