Habs mulling options for next playoff watch party after fences removed for safety

Fans cheer as the Montreal Canadiens take the ice for warm up prior to their NHL playoff hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Montreal on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

The Montreal Canadiens say they are considering their options for a Game 6 outdoor watch party after barricades fencing off an earlier event were removed for safety reasons.

Canadiens communications coordinator Guillaume Ouimet confirmed that a fence was removed after Friday’s Game 3 event to optimize security.

The team, in Florida tonight for Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, had announced that it would host fan watch events on the street outside the Bell Centre during home games for a limited number of ticket holders.

The founder of fan-focused sports platform HFTV says the fences surrounding the first outdoor playoff party were tall but flimsy, and that police on site vocally expressed concern about them.

Alexander Rougas says the fences were replaced for Game 4 with much lower barriers and that tickets were no longer being checked.

Ouimet says the team hasn’t yet confirmed its plans for Friday’s home game but “many” options are being considered.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2026.