Leafs can't hold on as Canadiens rally late
Preview
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m. ET marks the real start of the 2026-27 NHL regular season for these two clubs. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montréal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena, with home ice for this opening test.
Neither team has played a regular-season game yet this season, preseason doesn't count toward that. Last season is still the only measuring stick on hand: the Maple Leafs closed out 32 wins, 36 losses, 14 overtime losses (32-36-14), while the Canadiens finished 48 wins, 24 losses, 10 overtime losses (48-24-10).
That gap shows up in last season's final standings too, this season doesn't have one yet. Toronto came into this game 8th in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference, going 2-7-1 over its final 10 games with a 5-game losing streak to close the year, 18-15-8 at home. Montréal came into this game 3rd in the Atlantic and 4th in the East, 7-3-0 over its last 10, a single loss to end the season, and 24-15-2 at home.
The numbers we track show 4 meetings between the two clubs since Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in the 2025-2026 regular season: 1 win for the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3 for the Montréal Canadiens.
After the game MTL 3 – TOR 2 Loss
Puck drop came Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Scotiabank Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Montréal Canadiens. The game went the distance in regulation. Final score: Montréal Canadiens 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 2.
Toronto struck first. W. Nylander scored at 00:48 in the first period, assisted by M. Rielly and K. Marchenko. The Leafs led 1-0. Montréal answered at 10:53. J. Anderson tied it, assisted by A. Carrier and K. Dach. Both sides were level after one period.
The second period belonged to the visitors. Z. Bolduc put Montréal back in front at 04:52, assisted by M. Matheson and J. Anderson. The Canadiens carried a 2-1 edge into the third. A. Carrier added another goal at 13:12. Montréal's lead grew to 3-1.
Toronto answered late. W. Nylander scored his second of the night at 15:46, assisted by E. Cowan and J. Tavares. The score moved to 3-2. There wasn't enough clock left to find the equalizer. A. Carrier was named first star, ahead of W. Nylander and J. Anderson.
Published Sep 28, 2026 · Updated Sep 30, 2026