Habs fever takes over Montreal, boosts downtown businesses as Canadiens clinch playoff

For the first time since they were in the 2021 Stanley Cup final, the Montreal Canadiens have clinched a playoff spot after beating Carolina Wednesday night — taking all 82 games of the regular season to make it into the post-season.

But who’s more elated than the die hard fans? It might be downtown Montreal businesses that are getting a big boost from Habs fever.

“Being a lifelong Habs fan, it’s an emotional boom, it’s a boom for the city, it’s a boom for our business,” said Morrie Baker, owner of Burger Bar Crescent.

“Montreal is hockey city,” said Santana Enrique, owner of Sports Crescent. “So the restaurants, the hotel, me, all the stores can be having a piece of this playoffs.”

His shop filled with Canadiens apparel was a destination for Habs fans Thursday.

“I’m buying a jersey for my grandson for Easter,” said Guy Martineau.

“We’re excited,” said Emilie Perreault, who ran out of the Tricolore Sports store in the Bell Centre, clutching a new Nick Suzuki jersey.

“I’ve been waiting for 20 years,” she said. “When I was nine years old, my first gift from my dad a jersey, and now I have [this] 20 years later, very excited.”

Glenn Castanheira, Executive Director of Montréal Centre-Ville, says the positivity can be felt in the atmosphere downtown.

“It makes everybody happier and happier people make for better customers and better workers too — people are just happy to be at the office,” he said. “We’re happy to be downtown because there’s something in the air when you get downtown.”

For Ziggy Eichenbaum, owner of Ziggy’s Pub on Crescent — the playoffs represent a lucrative time.

“It’s totally, totally awesome. It’s going to make our summer,” he said. “It’s the Grand Prix of hockey right now. The Grand Prix is three days. This is a month, so just figure that one out.”

The Habs are facing off against Alex Ovechkin — the NHLs all-time leading goal scorer — and the Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley cup playoffs. But can they pull off another 2010 upset, when they beat the caps in seven games?

“I’m stressed, but I believe in the boys. I think we’re going to make a great job,” said Perreault.

“If the Montreal Canadiens play as a group, they could surprise a lot of people, even the Capitals,” said Tommaso Sabelli, a Habs fan.

You can watch Game 1 of the Habs-Capitals in Washington at 7 p.m. Monday night on Sportsnet. The Habs’ first home game will be April 25 for Game 3. 

“Canadiens fans have an opportunity to celebrate with everybody, all being outside together both at the Bell Centre, on Crescent Street. in restaurants and bars. It’s a lot more fun,” said Baker.