The Canadiens were back at Madison Square Garden for a big game Saturday night, the latest chapter in the famed franchise’s long history with the building.
In fact, the Habs played in the first NHL game in the history of the Garden — on Dec. 15, 1925.
The historical wrinkle is that the Rangers did not join them that night. The New York Americans were the Canadiens’ first Garden opponent. The Rangers franchise came along a year later.
That night also served as the official, gala opening of the then-new Garden on Eighth Avenue, the one that would be used until the current one opened in 1968.