Ginette Reno is breaking tradition.
The Montreal Canadiens’ lucky charm won’t be at the Bell Centre to sing ‘O Canada’ Saturday should the Habs push their series with the New York Rangers to a seventh game.
Instead she will be singing live — on the Jumbotron.
Reno will give a live performance of the national anthem at Place des Arts in Montreal, where she is already scheduled to perform that night.
The Bell Centre is prepared to send a camera to Reno’s concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. just before the 8 p.m. puck drop, Rene’s publicist, Narimane Doumandji, told the Montreal Gazette.
Reno has sung at all eight of the Canadiens’ home playoff games in 2014 so far, including games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and the Rangers.
“I think they love her more than they love us. Even when we’re winning it’s not as loud as when she steps on the ice,” the Habs’ Lars Eller told the Gazette. “It’s pretty amazing, and it helps build the atmosphere in that rink.”
The Canadiens will try to build on the momentum of Tuesday’s dramatic 7-4 Game 5 win Thursday at Madison Square Garden to avoid elimination. The Rangers are looking to reach their first Stanley Cup Final in 20 years.
