Canadiens at Maple Leafs: Opening Night Preview & Who to Watch
There is no bigger rivalry in hockey, and the schedule serves it up on night one. The Montreal Canadiens, fresh off a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Final, visit the Toronto Maple Leafs, who missed the playoffs and open under a new head coach. Two proud franchises heading in opposite directions — for now.
Montreal's rise
The Canadiens were last spring's feel-good story, upsetting their way to the Eastern Conference Final — past Tampa Bay and then a stunning series win over the Atlantic-champion Buffalo Sabres — before running into the eventual-champion Hurricanes. Led by captain Nick Suzuki and sniper Cole Caufield, this young core arrived ahead of schedule and now carries real expectations.
Toronto resets
The Maple Leafs missed the playoffs and made changes: out went head coach Craig Berube, and in came Jim Hiller under a new front office. The offensive core of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares remains, but the pressure — as ever in Toronto — is enormous, and a home opener against the surging archrival is exactly the kind of test that sets a tone.
Ones to Watch
Our picks below are informed opinion based on the facts above — not a crystal ball.
The engine of Montreal's rise. If the Canadiens' leap was real, Suzuki is the reason — and there's no stage he'd rather announce it on than opening night at Toronto.
Toronto's season rides on its stars delivering when it matters. Matthews setting the tone in a new era under Hiller is the story Leafs fans need to see.
The finisher who lit the lamp all through Montreal's run. Against Toronto's retooled back end, he's a threat every shift.
How to watch: the Original Six opener airs on Sportsnet in Canada. For every way to follow both teams, see our How to Watch the NHL in 2026-27 guide.
Full game details & how to watch →
Results and standings verified as of publication (Wednesday, July 29, 2026). "Ones to watch" are our opinion — see our Editorial Policy. Start times shown in US Eastern; on the schedule they convert to your local zone.