Before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final Monday night, much of the talk focused on Tampa Bay's chances of completing a sweep of Montreal to join the Penguins as the only teams to win back-to-back Cups in this century.
That wasn't the only topic of discussion, though.
At least not in the press box of the Bell Centre.
No, more than a few of the conversations there centered on the return of the arena's fabled press-lounge hot dogs. Or, as they are known in La Belle Province, chiens chauds.
It was the first time the hot dogs have been available during this year's playoffs.
They have been a press-room staple in Montreal for many years -- the grill on which they are prepared made the move from the venerable Forum to what was then known as the Molson Centre when the Canadiens got a new home in 1996 -- and likely will remain one for as long as the franchise remains in operation.
More than a few chien chaud photos -- slathered with any number of condiments and nestled in a toasted bun -- circulated on Twitter as the start of Game 4 approached, and it's safe to assume that dozens were devoured during each intermission. And probably quite a few others while play was in progress.
Hot dogs, of course, have long been associated with baseball, too. Strawberries and cream are synonymous with tennis at Wimbledon, while pimento cheese sandwiches are forever linked with the Masters golf tournament.
Neither of those, though, can claim to be prepared on a cooking surface that's been in use for decades. Or to have a cool name like chien chaud.
YOUR TURN: What is your favorite food to consume at a sporting event?
