LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens and their rich history prepare to face the NHL upstart Vegas Golden Knights in a Stanley Cup semifinal between the league's oldest and newest teams.
Montreal had the worst record of the 16 playoff qualifiers before upsetting Toronto and Winnipeg to be Canada's last team standing.
The Canadiens have won seven straight during a stretch they've never trailed.
Vegas makes its third semifinals appearance in four years of existence.
The Golden Knights are considered favorites after finishing with 16 more wins and 23 more points than Montreal this season. Game 1 of the series is at Vegas on Monday night.
Montreal Canadiens (24-21-11, fourth in the North Division during the regular season) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (40-14-2, second in the West Division during the regular season)
Game time is 6 p.m. PT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Knights -274, Canadiens +224; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS THIRD ROUND: Golden Knights host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Montreal Canadiens to open the Nhl finals. The teams meet Monday for the first time this season.
In their last regular season matchup on The Golden Knights are 21-5-2 at home. Vegas is eighth in the NHL with 32.7 shots per game and is averaging 3.4 goals.
The Canadiens are 11-10-7 on the road. Montreal is 24th in the NHL with 31.2 shots per game and is averaging 2.8 goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Shea Theodore leads the Golden Knights with a plus-28 in 53 games this season. Jonathan Marchessault has five goals and two assists over the last 10 games for Vegas.
Tyler Toffoli leads the Canadiens with 44 points, scoring 28 goals and registering 16 assists. Nicholas Suzuki has four goals and four assists over the last 10 games for Montreal.
DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Golden Knights: Averaging 3.1 goals, 5.2 assists, 3.0 penalties and 8.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game with a .908 save percentage.
Canadiens: Averaging 2.6 goals, 4.1 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game with a .929 save percentage.
INJURIES: Golden Knights: Peyton Krebs: out (upper body), Tomas Nosek: day to day (undisclosed).
Canadiens: Jon Merrill: out (undisclosed), Jeff Petry: day to day (undisclosed), Jake Evans: out (concussion), Tomas Tatar: day to day (undisclosed).