Canadiens Beat Maple Leafs 3-2 in Season Opener

Summary:

• The Montréal Canadiens’ Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier each had a goal and an assist in the 3-2 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 
• Jakub Dobes made 25 saves in the Canadiens’ opening-night victory.
• William Nylander scored twice, including the game’s opening goal 48 seconds into the first period.

The Montréal Canadiens kickstarted the 2026–27 NHL season with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, September 29. Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier each had a goal and an assist.

NHL Debut for Toronto Players

Zachary Bolduc also scored for Montréal, while goaltender Jakub Dobes stopped 25 shots to help the Canadiens hold off Toronto at Scotiabank Arena.

William Nylander provided all of Toronto’s offense, scoring twice in the opener. Sergei Bobrovsky, making his Maple Leafs debut, finished with 21 saves.

The game also marked the NHL debuts for several Toronto players following an offseason of significant changes. No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna made his first appearance for the Maple Leafs, as did Russian winger Kirill Marchenko, who was acquired Monday from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Seven other Toronto players also suited up for the club for the first time.

Toronto struck first just 48 seconds into the game. Nylander beat Montréal captain Nick Suzuki at the blue line before he managed to fire a shot past Dobes to give the home side an early lead.

Montréal responded at 10:53 of the opening period when Josh Anderson knocked a rebound out of the air in front of the net.

JOSH ANDERSON MARQUE NOTRE PREMIER BUT DE LA SAISON!!

JOSH ANDERSON SCORES OUR FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON!!
#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/iCfK8u4ghj

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 29, 2026

Final Horn Didn’t Bring More Goals for the Maple Leafs

Bolduc put the Canadiens ahead at 4:52 of the second period, taking a pass from Mike Matheson before beating Bobrovsky from the slot. Alexandre Carrier then extended Montréal’s lead at 13:12 of the third, sending a shot past the goaltender’s glove.

Les défenseurs, ça peut aussi trouver le coin supérieur

Defensemen can go top cheese too 🧀#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/akVm5pVuhT

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 30, 2026

Nylander brought Toronto back within one with 4:14 remaining in regulation, but the Maple Leafs could not find another goal before the final horn.

The Canadiens are coming off a season in which they reached the Eastern Conference final before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Toronto, meanwhile, missed the playoffs last season for the first time in a decade and entered the new campaign with a revamped roster.