Canadiens deny report that claimed players were told to take precautions while in Minnesota

The Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday denied a report that claimed the organization told its players to stay inside their team hotel, take the team bus rather than walk to the stadium and carry their passports with them at all times.

The report appeared on journalist Luc Gélinas’ hockey website ahead of the team’s game against the Minnesota Wild and described Minnesota as an unsafe place amid two deaths that stemmed from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations last month. The incidents sparked days of unrest in Minneapolis and in cities and suburbs around the state’s capital.

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Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj, right, reacts after his team’s overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild in an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

The team told Fox News Digital that didn’t happen.

Montreal’s game against Minnesota appeared to go off without a hitch.

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Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov, second from the right, celebrates after his goal with teammates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Wild star Kirill Kaprizov scored his second goal of the game on a power play in overtime to give his team a 4-3 victory. The team capitalized on a penalty that was charged to Phillip Danault. He hooked Kaprizov in front of the goal.

Minnesota also got goals from Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber. Quinn Hughes had three assists in the game and has 50 on the season.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

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The Canadiens’ three-game winning streak was snapped with the loss. Brendan Gallagher, Ivan Demidov and Kirby Dach all put the puck into the back of the net.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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