As the first-round playoff battle between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning intensifies, Montreal’s playoff energy has spilled beyond the rink — and into music.
Canadian country singer-songwriter Rick Duff has tapped directly into that moment with “Killer Instinct,” a high-energy anthem inspired by the emotion, belief and intensity surrounding the Canadiens’ postseason run.
“This song is with me now for the rest of my days, and probably for a lot of kids and a lot of fans that got behind that song with me and are cheering for the Montreal Canadiens,” the artist said.
For Duff, the project is deeply personal — rooted in childhood memories and shared moments with his father.
“I was with my dad yesterday watching the game, and we couldn’t wrap our head around the fact that I now have a playoff song for the Montreal Canadiens,” he said. “For me, it started at a very young age, and it’s going to follow me until the day that I die.”
That lifelong connection to the team became the emotional foundation for the song, and the reason he says it felt natural to create it.
Duff says “Killer Instinct” wasn’t written as a traditional fan tribute; it was designed to be felt inside the game itself.
“I wanted to write a song for the Montreal Canadiens,” he said. “But not only the Montreal Canadiens; I wanted to reach maybe the locker room or a player’s car or something, just hype them up before the playoffs.”
That intention shaped the sound from the start. Working with his producer, Duff focused on building something that captured the atmosphere of playoff hockey — loud, emotional, and urgent.
“While we were recording the song, me and Alex, my producer, we looked at each other at almost the same time and said we need some organ on the song,” he said.
What began as a creative idea quickly became a full-scale collaboration with the Canadiens organization.
“I was fortunate enough for my music video to be shot inside the Bell Centre,” Duff said. “Everything lined up perfectly… they reached out to us saying they really like the song.”
That opportunity brought him inside the Bell Centre, where he filmed on the ice, sat on the bench, and stepped into the world he grew up watching from the stands.
A key element of the song also came together through a connection at the arena with Bell Centre organist Diane Bibeau, who joined the project after hearing the track and connecting with its energy.
“We showed her the song, she was like ‘dang, that’s a good song, good country rock,’” Duff said. “She fell in love with the project and the song and she just decided to hop on the song with us. We were very, very blessed and fortunate to have Diane on this song.”
That organ sound now anchors the track, giving it a distinct game-night feel that mirrors the energy of playoff hockey in Montreal.
A central theme in “Killer Instinct” is Montreal’s pursuit of a 25th Stanley Cup, with Duff casting the city as a hockey stronghold defined by its history and passionate fan base.
The lyrics describe Montreal as a place where “you can hear the thunder roar” and where fans “bleed blue, red and white,” framing the playoff run as a battle-driven push toward championship glory. The song repeatedly leans into that intensity, reinforcing the idea of embracing a “killer instinct” during the postseason.
The track was written in Lorraine in the Lower Laurentians before being recorded in Montreal, with the project evolving quickly from concept to studio as the Canadiens’ playoff run unfolded.
Since its release, “Killer Instinct” has started to spread beyond music circles — reaching players, fans and former NHLers.
“I received messages from Newhook, from Dale Weise, and old players saying the song’s fire,” Duff said. “It means the world to me… getting that immediate response of love and support.”
For Duff, the reaction reinforces the original goal: creating something that brings people together during a playoff run.
“It’s a Habs song, and we’re all behind the same team at the end of the day,” he said.
As the series continues, Duff says the Canadiens’ play reflects the same energy he tried to capture in the song.
“I feel like these guys really got that killer instinct inside of them right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of animosity… just straight-up rage and heart into that game right now.”
With more than 20 shows planned across Quebec this spring and summer, Duff’s career continues to build momentum. His debut album “Forever Reckless” introduced fans to his emotional, grounded country style. But “Killer Instinct” carries a different weight.
It is part anthem, part tribute, and part full-circle moment.
“Listen y’all, it’s just a matter of time before we bring back that Cup to Montreal,” he said. “Just trust the players, trust the team. And if you’re looking for a song to get you going before the playoffs, just listen to ‘Killer Instinct.’ It’s what you need right now.”
