Canadiens: good luck to those who want (affordable) tickets tonight

Tonight, the Canadiens take on the Buffalo Sabres. We’re talking about a clash between two clubs that aren’t in the playoffs.

If you want to take the value out of the match-up, you could even say that the Sabres, who aren’t a “sexy” club for Montreal fans and who don’t have a notorious rivalry with the Habs, are below the Habs in the standings.

In short, on paper, it’s not the duel of the year.

But if you don’t already have your tickets for the event, you’ll be hard-pressed to find them at a price that won’t make you regret buying Christmas presents for your loved ones.

In the last few minutes, I’ve been scouring resale sites (for investigative purposes) to see just how hard it is to find affordable tickets for tonight’s game.

And even though I’m at the last minute, let’s just say it’s expensive.

If you look on Ticket Master, which is the NHL’s official partner, it’s impossible to find a ticket for less than $200. We’re talking here about a ticket – not a pair of tickets – in the ~~prestigious~~ section 417.

At the time of writing, on StubHub, the cheapest ticket is $211 in 417.

For those who don’t want to pay $200 a ticket, Billets.ca is a little cheaper for the most “affordable” ticket, at $173 for 414. As for Seat Geek, we’re talking $193 in 417.

Remember that we’re talking about a single ticket, not a pair of tickets.

Of course, that doesn’t include travel, parking, childcare if necessary, food, beverages and a boutique sweater. All that for one Thursday night against the Sabres.

Of course, the fact that the Habs were on the road over the holidays (the last home game was on December 16, against the Islanders) is a factor. It’s been a long time since hockey was played at the Montreal Temple. But still…

The Habs made money over the holidays with the Bell Centre, and now prices are high when the Habs return. Those who want to go to tonight’s game had better reconsider.

In brief

– The Habs’ defense produces.

My column on Canadiens’ defencemen sparking the team’s offence with 30 goals this season, tied with Colorado for most in NHL. All nine defensemen who have played for #Habs have at least one goal #HabsIO: https://t.co/hvyyGRxAaV

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) January 4, 2024

– It’s time for Montreal CF to name their coach.

3 weeks ago, @NiltonJorge was saying that Laurent Courtois had a head start on the other candidates for the @cfmontreal head coach position.

Many have been saying the same thing for the past 24 hours.

It really feels like a Laurent duo (and if so, bravo Nilton). https://t.co/D9k9CbkBDA

– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) January 4, 2024

– Gabriel Dumont isn’t giving up on his dream of returning to the NHL. [JdeM]

– Evgeni Malkin likes to stay in the shadows.

“I’m not the kind of guy who wants the media’s attention. I like to be quiet,” he explained. I just want to play hockey. Maybe people would like to know a little more about my private life, but I’m a reserved person.https://t.co/vyJi89GDk5

– Jean-Pierre Leboeuf (@JPierreLeboeuf) January 4, 2024