The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens have started another season against each other. With both teams entering the 2025-2026 season, there is a lot of pressure on both sides to have a better year than last season. It’s great for the rivalry, but also for the NHL, when both Original Six teams are competitive and make the playoffs.
Summary of the game
1st Period
When the puck dropped on the new season, it didn’t take long for the Maple Leafs to get on the board. Just a minute into the game, John Tavares found William Nylander, who put the puck on net and was tipped by Bobby McMann to give his team an early 1–0 lead. After the goal, the physicality increased and just under five minutes later the Canadiens took a penalty, sending Toronto to their first power play (PP) of the season.
However, Oliver Kapanen collected a pass and beat Anthony Stolarz for his first career goal, tying the match 1–1. The score remained that way as Montreal went on their first power play of the season. The first period ended in a 1-1 tie, with the Canadiens outscoring the Maple Leafs 11-7.
2nd Period
The Canadiens struck early in the second, just a minute and a half later, on a goal from Zach Bolduc. However, the Maple Leafs did not change. They fought back and Calle Jarnkrok found the back of the net after a rebound to make it 2-2. Most of the second period was your typical middle frame, but it lacked the energy of opening night. Until Matthew Knies took a penalty with 6:22 to go, it was a pretty slow stretch.
The last five minutes had a bit more pace, but in the end it ended at a 2-2 tie, with Montreal still ahead with 22-19 shots.
3rd Period
The third started with both teams pushing hard for the starting signal. About three minutes later, Maple Leafs fans suddenly started cheering as the Toronto Blue Jays took a 4-1 lead against the Yankees in the ALDS. That led to a The chant ‘Let’s Go Blue Jays’which was honestly the loudest the crowd had heard since Jarnkrok’s goal.
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Just seconds later, Auston Matthews blocked a shot and went to the bench in pain. Luckily he wasn’t gone long. After Ivan Demidov took an offensive zone penalty, Matthews returned to the ice for the power play.
Toronto’s power play could not be capitalized on and the game remained tied at two. But not for long. Matias Maccelli found Knies on a partial breakaway, and although he didn’t score, he stayed in the game. The puck bounced to Morgan Rielly, who buried it from the slot giving his club a 3-2 lead.
The Maple Leafs held that lead throughout the third game. Sam Montembeault was substituted with just under two minutes left, and Toronto sealed the scoring with a Matthews goal with an empty net after a Nylander lead. The Canadiens then pulled their goalie and Nylander added his first of the season make it 5-2which gave Toronto their first win of the season.
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