MONTREAL — In a surprising twist, the French-language leaders' debate has been moved to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, just to make room for an exhilarating Montreal Canadiens game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

While the Canadiens are still vying for a spot in the NHL playoffs, this strategic rescheduling is all about avoiding a showdown between crucial political discourse and passionate hockey fandom. Originally slated for 8 p.m., debate moderator Patrice Roy announced the new time on social media this Tuesday.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the Habs, as they’ll face off against the Hurricanes at 7 p.m. in what many perceive as a pivotal game for playoff qualifications. A win would send fans into a frenzy and secure their ticket to the postseason.

However, there's a twist of fate: if the Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, the Canadiens might just skate into the playoffs regardless of their own game.

Both NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet have voiced concerns over the timing of the debate, fearing that the excitement of the hockey game could distract viewers from a vital political discussion.

Singh underscored the dilemma faced by voters in Quebec: "We’re asking people to choose between a critical democratic debate and cheering on the Habs in a must-win game. This kind of political discussion shouldn’t compete with something that means so much to so many." He noted that in 2011, the French debate was similarly rescheduled to avoid clashing with a playoff game, demonstrating the enduring relationship between politics and hockey in Quebec.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes will be on both the debate stage and the ice, highlighting once again how deeply intertwined sports and politics can be in the hearts of Canadians.