The Montreal Canadiens open the NHL regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena. In Canada, the game will be shown on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
The matchup brings a familiar rivalry back to center stage, but the circumstances are very different from a year ago. Montreal is coming off a playoff run that reached the third round in 2026, while Toronto missed the postseason, changed coaches, and added new faces, including first overall pick Gavin McKenna.
Why this opener carries so much weight
This is the seventh straight season that Montreal and Toronto have faced each other to begin the year. That alone gives the night extra energy, but the contrast between the teams makes it even more compelling.
The Canadiens enter with confidence and proven production. Nick Suzuki posted 101 points last season, and Cole Caufield reached the 50-goal mark, giving Montreal a pair of offensive threats that can punish mistakes quickly.
Toronto, meanwhile, is trying to build chemistry on the fly. New coach Jim Hiller has had limited time to settle the roster, and the Maple Leafs are still leaning on their established stars, Auston Matthews and William Nylander, while also introducing McKenna into the mix.
| Team | Main storyline | Player to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Canadiens | Trying to prove last season was the start of a bigger breakthrough | Cole Caufield |
| Maple Leafs | Adjusting to a new coach and new combinations | Gavin McKenna |
McKenna’s first regular-season spotlight
Gavin McKenna is the most intriguing name in the building. The 18-year-old first overall pick is expected to make his NHL regular-season debut in one of the sport’s most intense Canadian rivalries.
Toronto projects him on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, although those combinations could still shift before the game starts. What matters most is whether he can get involved early, create chances in dangerous areas, and show confidence against Montreal’s defense.
If McKenna looks comfortable right away, Toronto gets an immediate boost from its newest centerpiece. If he needs time, the Maple Leafs may have to rely even more heavily on Matthews and Nylander to carry the offense.
The most likely goal scorer
Cole Caufield stands out as the safest goal prediction in this game. He scored 50 times last season, and he also found the net twice in a September 21 preseason game against Ottawa, including the overtime winner.
Matthews remains Toronto’s best candidate to answer back. If the Maple Leafs spend long stretches in the attacking zone, he has the finishing skill to change the game on his own. Still, Caufield is the one Toronto cannot afford to leave unmarked.
- Toronto needs quick chemistry if it wants to control the opening period.
- Montreal can tilt the game by converting early chances.
- McKenna’s debut adds major attention, but Caufield’s scoring record makes him the sharper pick to score.
The biggest swing factor is which club settles first. The Maple Leafs have home ice and enough talent to win any night, but Montreal’s offense can make the game expensive if Toronto starts slowly.
Best opening-night takeaway: McKenna is the headline attraction, but Caufield is the most dependable pick to score.
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