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Montreal police close down main drag as Habs face elimination

Montreal police are bracing for action as the Habs play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the do-or-die sixth game of their NHL series.
Jaroslav Halak, Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) can't get to a rebound in front of Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak of Slovakia during the second period of an Eastern Conference semi-final NHL playoff hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday

MONTREAL — Montreal police are bracing for action as the Habs play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the do-or-die sixth game of their NHL series.

Police are shutting down a one-kilometre stretch of Ste-Catherine Street, and detouring bus and vehicle traffic during tonight’s game.

The city’s main downtown strip will be open to pedestrians only.

Montreal has a history of hockey-related unrest, notably looting and vandalism, when the Habs win.

But, in this case, the city’s beloved team faces elimination.

The Canadiens are down 3-2, following a thrilling post-season run that saw them eliminate top-seeded Washington and push the Stanley Cup champion Penguins deep into the second round.