The Canadiens de Montréal and Ottawa Senators are bringing NHL hockey to Trois-Rivières on Monday night as part of Kraft Hockeyville, with the preseason matchup serving as the centrepiece of a celebration honouring nearby Saint-Boniface.
The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern at the Colisée Vidéotron. It is Montreal’s third preseason contest of 2026-27 and Ottawa’s first exhibition game of the campaign.
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Canadiens De Montréal: Canadiens and Senators meet in Trois-Rivières
The neutral-site game is being staged in Trois-Rivières because Saint-Boniface’s local arena cannot host an NHL production of this size. The Mauricie community is located about 20 minutes from the Colisée Vidéotron and is the winning community from the 2025 Kraft Hockeyville competition.
Saint-Boniface’s Aréna de Saint-Boniface is set to receive $250,000 for upgrades, along with $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment through NHLPA Goals & Dreams. The investment is intended to help preserve the arena as a gathering place for local players, families and residents.
The Canadiens held their morning skate at the Colisée Vidéotron, where fans watched the team arrive on a red carpet, sign autographs and take photographs before practice. The event also included students and invited guests from Saint-Boniface.
What to watch in the preseason matchup
Montreal entered the game after winning both split-squad contests against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Monday’s game represents the midpoint of the Canadiens’ five-game preseason schedule.
Head coach Martin St-Louis is using the shortened exhibition calendar to evaluate players competing for positions before the regular season. The club has not announced its final game lineup until closer to puck drop, although players who took part in the morning skate were expected to dress.
For Ottawa, the game provides the first opportunity to assess a number of players in game conditions. William Eklund is scheduled to make his first appearance in a Senators uniform after joining the organization during the off-season.
Eklund has been skating on a line with Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund during camp. The Senators are also expected to feature Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson among a group of established NHL players.
Samuel Blais is another player with a local connection. The Trois-Rivières-area native played minor hockey with the Estacades and will appear in a Senators uniform in front of a familiar audience.
A return to Quebec for Kraft Hockeyville
The game marks Kraft Hockeyville’s return to Quebec for the first time since Roberval hosted the event in 2008. It also falls close to the 20th anniversary of the first Kraft Hockeyville game, which featured Montreal and Ottawa in Salmon River, Nova Scotia, on September 25, 2006.
Monday’s matchup is the fourth Kraft Hockeyville meeting between the Canadiens and Senators. Both clubs have been regular participants in the program, which has directed funding toward local arenas and hockey communities across Canada since 2006.
The 2026 celebration includes an expanded format recognizing a provincial or territorial winner from each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories. The program is designed to give more communities access to rink repairs, equipment and other forms of support.
How to watch the Canadiens game
The Canadiens-Senators preseason game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern on Monday, September 21, 2026, from the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières.
- Venue: Colisée Vidéotron, Trois-Rivières, Quebec
- Matchup: Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens
- Event: Kraft Hockeyville 2025 celebration
- Start time: 7 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcasts: Sportsnet One and TVA Sports
- Radio: TSN 690 and 98.5 FM
Because this is a preseason game, both teams may rotate players and goalies throughout the contest. The result will not affect the regular-season standings, but the game carries added importance for players trying to secure roster spots before the season begins.
For Saint-Boniface and surrounding communities, however, the significance extends beyond the score. The event brings major-league hockey to the Mauricie region while helping fund improvements to the arena that serves as the community’s local home for the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Canadiens playing the Senators in Trois-Rivières?
The preseason game is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2026, at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Where is the Kraft Hockeyville game being played?
The game is being played at the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
Why are the Canadiens and Senators playing in Trois-Rivières?
The game celebrates Saint-Boniface, the 2025 Kraft Hockeyville winning community, which is located nearby but does not have an arena equipped to host an NHL event.
What does Saint-Boniface receive from Kraft Hockeyville?
Saint-Boniface’s arena is receiving $250,000 for upgrades, while local youth hockey is receiving $10,000 in equipment through NHLPA Goals & Dreams.
How can fans watch the Canadiens-Senators preseason game?
The game is scheduled to air on Sportsnet One and TVA Sports, with radio coverage on TSN 690 and 98.5 FM.
Fact-Checked: Key game details, venue information, broadcast information, player storylines and Saint-Boniface funding were checked against official NHL, Canadiens and Senators information. ([nhl.com](https://www.nhl.com/fr/canadiens/news/topic/jour-de-match/ott-mtl-ce-que-vous-devez-savoir-presaison-21-sept-2026))
Disclaimer: Preseason lineups, broadcast availability and player participation may change before puck drop.