The Montreal Canadiens last won the Stanley Cup in 2021
An election debate in Canada has been rescheduled to avoid a clash with a Montreal Canadiens hockey game.
The Canadiens take on the Carolina Hurricanes at 19:00 ET (23:00 BST) on 17 April, and could clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup play-offs with victory.
The French-language leaders' debate had been scheduled to start at 20:00 ET – at the midway point of the National Hockey League fixture.
But the Leaders' Debates Commission say the debate will now start two hours earlier at 18:00 ET to "recognise Canadians' passion for hockey".
"Citizens will be able to catch this crucial moment in the election campaign while also following the decisive periods of the hockey game that could put the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs," a statement read.
Canadians go to the polls for a national election on 28 April.
Five party leaders will debate one another twice this week – once in English and once in French.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, is up against Conservatives leader Pierre Poilievre in the election, the first in 10 years without former Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.
The Montreal Canadiens could qualify for the play-offs before taking to the ice on Wednesday but they are reliant on the Columbus Blue Jackets losing on Tuesday.
Should the Blue Jackets win, the Canadiens can reach the play-offs by beating the Hurricanes.
The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup a record 24 times, most recently in 2021.
Who's who in Canada's federal election
Reaction as PSG reach Champions League semi-finals despite heroic Villa comeback
'La Remontada?' Is this a comeback too far for Madrid?
'Despair for Emery, but Villa showed they belong'
What does it feel like to be a victim of stalking?
Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips
Celebrating chocolate, one of our favourite ingredients
Tom Hanks guides you across the Americas
'Despair for Emery, but Villa showed they belong'
'La Remontada?' Is this a comeback too far for Madrid?
Why Amorim's next move on Onana is a big call
Champions League quarter-finals – how it stands & route to final
The life, loss and legacy of Kevin Campbell
'Don't give up' – why Peaty was convinced to go again
Guirassy's rise from journeyman to Champions League 'goal machine'
'McIlroy in the conversation to be Europe's greatest golfer'
In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week
PSG's Doue, the teenager who is the talk of Europe

Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week?
What does McIlroy get for Masters triumph?
How coping with 'heartbreak' changed everything for McIlroy

Corner chicken & Rory Delap 2.0 – what's the future of football?
Can Swiatek emulate Alcaraz to start clay season?

What's gone wrong for Man City in trophyless season?
Has 'micro-managed' Premier League become boring?
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

source