The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs begin their 2026-27 NHL seasons Tuesday night with an Original Six matchup at Scotiabank Arena. The game is one of the featured Canadian matchups on opening night as both teams begin a new 84-game regular season.
Montreal enters the season after a 48-24-10 campaign in 2025-26 that ended with an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The Canadiens return much of that core, including Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and former Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, while adding veteran forward Chris Kreider.
Toronto finished 32-36-14 last season and made significant changes during the offseason. Auston Matthews and William Nylander remain at the center of the lineup, while John Tavares returns and top prospect Gavin McKenna makes his NHL debut. The Maple Leafs also have Sergei Bobrovsky in net after adding the veteran goaltender during the offseason.
How to Watch NHL Opening Night: Canadiens vs Maple Leafs
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
- Canada TV: Sportsnet
- Canada French: TVA Sports
- U.S. streaming: ESPN App / ESPN+
- Free live stream: Fubo carries ESPN+ for eligible subscribers and offers free trial
- Radio: TSN 690 / 98.5 FM in Montreal; Sportsnet 590 in Toronto
Canadiens vs Maple Leafs Game Preview
Caufield led Montreal with 51 goals last season, while Suzuki finished with 101 points.
Toronto will lean on Matthews, Nylander and Tavares, while McKenna is one of the biggest storylines entering his first NHL game. The Maple Leafs also hope Bobrovsky can provide stability after a difficult 2025-26 season in goal.
Montreal won three of four meetings between the teams last season, although Toronto won the 2025-26 season opener 5-2. Tuesday’s matchup gives both teams an immediate test to begin the new campaign.
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