The 2011-12 NHL season begins with a clash of Original 6 rivals in Toronto tonight as the Maple Leafs play host to the Montreal Canadiens.
I’m globesports.com editor Darren Yourk and I’ll be hosting a chat with hockey columnist David Shoalts live from the Air Canada Centre beginning at 6:45 p.m. ET. We will be taking reader questions on the Habs and Maple Leafs and keeping a lively discussion with fans going from the opening puck drop to the final whistle.
We hope you’ll join us here to celebrate the start of another hockey season.
The Highlanders are on the ice. One of the great traditions in all of hockey.
Glenn Healy not partaking this year. He's between the benches for CBC.
Can you name that catchy tune the Highlanders are hammering out?
Line combinations for tonight are here:
Referees tonight are Dan O'Halloran and Ian Walsh
I can't believe my 20-something colleagues Mirtle, Chris Johnston and Yourk are mystified by my new mug shot.
Franson, Orr and MacArthur scratched for the Leafs.
Betts and Emelin for the Habs
Best jersey of the night so far: #67 Still Waiting
Starting lineup for Leafs is Grabovski line and Phaneuf-Gunnarsson on defence. Habs start Gionta-Gomez-Pacioretty and Gorges-Campoli.
Grapes is in plaid. I can see that clearly from way up here.
While we're waiting for the puck to drop, how about a listen to the Leaf fan's theme song?
Nice greeting for coach Wilson from the faithful.
The leaves on the ice move when the players skate across them. Neat.
Is Komisarek related to coach Wilson?
Not exactly a huge pop from the crowd for Komisarek
Saw Brian Burke a while ago. He looks really sour. Someone must have turned down his latest trade offer for Gunnarsson and Bozak.
Jay Rosehill even drops the gloves in his intro video
OK, who's the artsy type who thought up the gimmick of having every player hoist his stick barbell style on his shoulders for the video shots?
The Canadiens take the ice
We're just about ready to drop the puck. Here's to a great season.
Gee, Leafs management must be feeling the heat. First whistle and the scoreboard video is telling the fans to get loud.
Phaneuf with a nice little dash up the middle there, but no problem at all for Price.
Nice fat rebound from Reimer. Cleared, though.
Weak turnover by Gunnarsson but Reimer bails him out.
Agree with Loucks. Not much clicking so far.
I've seen this movie before: Bozak between Kessel and Lupul. Everybody dies in the end.
Someone should tell the Leafs Carey Price would like to play, too.
Shots are 6-1 Habs after six minutes.
Best scoreboard interview ever - 48th Highlanders guy. Stop it, you're killing me.
Shots are 6-1 Habs. That tells you all you need to know so far.
The 2011-12 NHL season begins with a clash of Original 6 rivals in Toronto tonight as the Maple Leafs play host to the Montreal Canadiens.
