Dreger: Let the hype begin

This week on The 1st Half, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Sam Roberts, a Montreal based recording artist. They talk about Roberts releasing his first demo, The Inhuman Condition in 2002, that later became the best-selling independant EP in Canadian history. Since then, The Sam Roberts Band has released eight award winning albums, including several radio hits and tours worldwide. They talk about his favourite sports teams, why he became a Liverpool fan, and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, the MLS playoffs, Pep Guardiola staying with Manchester City and San Diego FC.Tune into The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6pm where you can expect the unexpected with weekly guests, deep dives into soccer's heart, its influence on pop culture, and the kind of banter only Paul can deliver.

Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire on the "Stanley Cup hangover" and how to win with consistency in the new NHL and why the Habs need to stay out of the box when they return to Bell Centre ice tomorrow against Vegas

Former NHL defenceman Aaron Ward on the Habs long stretch between games and how he expects it will play into tomorrow's game against Vegas and takes your questions for AAA Friday

RDS hockey analyst Bruno Gervais on which young Habs players are playing up to their potential and who still has work to do and what he expects from tonight's game for the Laval Rocket against Belleville Senators

NFL.com's Eric Edholm on potential trades percolating in the NFL and which teams will be getting players back to help with their playoff push

TSN basketball analyst Jack Armstrong on how the Raptors are riding through some significant injuries and why he thinks stats and analytics have their place but we need to remember the heart and soul of the game

On Habs Lunch, Simon Tsalikis and Luca Scott talk about how things will look when Patrik Laine returns, what line he will potentially be in and we hear from Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson and Martin St. Louis as they return back to action tomorrow night against the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

NHL Fantasy's Pete Jensen joins Simon Tsalikis and Luca Scott on Campbell vs Gallo to talk about Patrik Laine's production when he returns from injury, Cole Caufield's hot start to the season, Jason Robertson having a slow start, the Rocket Richard Trophy race and much more.

The Fourth Period's Dennis Bernstein joins Simon Tsalikis and Luca Scott on Campbell vs Gallo to talk about where Patrik Laine fills in to the Montreal Canadiens lineup when he comes back from injury, Kirby Dach's slow start to the season, where Cole Caufield fits with Team USA and much more.

Do the Canadiens have a logjam at the forward position? Darren Dreger walks us through the Habs roster and if Kent Hughes is thinking deal