Preseason Game 1: 20/09/11 Dallas Stars at Montreal Canadiens

And we're off! Game 1 at the Bell Centre, albeit just preseason, is finally here! The game, which starts at 7:30 PM, will be broadcast on RDS, as well all 7 other exhibition matches the Habs play.

Here's a little look at who who will be playing tonight to whet your appetite for hockey, as if the flame needed further fanning.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Mike Cammalleri - Tomas Plekanec - Erik Cole

Andrei Kostitsyn - Brian Willsie - Aaron Palushaj

Brock Trotter - Andreas Engqvist - Mike Blunden

Alain Berger - Dany Masse - Ian Schultz

Hal Gill - Raphael Diaz

Jarred Tinordi - Yannick Weber

Jeff Woywitka - Alexei Yemelin

Carey Price (1st half)

Nathan Lawson (2nd half)

The game will be a good opportunity for both Andreas Engqvist and Michael Blunden to prove their worth as they appear to be amongst candidates battling for one of the remaining spots at forward.

On defense, Alexei Yemelin - who many Habs fans are eager to final see don the blue-blanc-rouge - will continue to try to show where he fits in the team's depth chart, particularly given that one of his competitors for ice time, Yannick Weber, will also be dressed. Speaking of Weber, given that Alain Berger and Raphael Diaz are also scheduled to play, the Habs will have three Swiss players in the line-up.

Carey Price admitted that he doesn't feel great yet, believing there is much he needs to work on to prepare for the season before it begins. As such, he has suggested it's possible tonight doesn't go all that well, but to "chill out" even if he does not have his best performance. It's only preseason after all, folks.

DALLAS STARS

(final roster TBD, following players possible, bold indicates confirmed)

Goaltenders: Andrew Raycroft, Richard Bachman

Defensemen: Alex Goligoski, Nicklas Grossman, Trevor Daley, Mark Fistric, Brenden Dillon, Maxime Fortunus, Philip Larsen, Adam Pardy

Forwards: Brenden Morrow, Steve Ott, Mike Ribeiro, Michael Ryder, Jamie Benn, Vern Fiddler, Krystofer Barch, Toby Petersen, Jake Dowell, Matt Fraser, Travis Morin, Raymond Sawada, Tomas Vincour, Tom Wandell, Francis Wathier