Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Season Opener Preview, Predictions & Key Matchups (2025-26)

The 2025-26 NHL season kicks off with a highly anticipated clash between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. This rivalry matchup is always a must-watch, and this year’s opener promises to be no different. Let’s dive into what to expect, potential storylines, and key matchups to watch for.

Canadiens Looking for a Strong Start

Montreal is coming off a season where a slow start hampered their playoff aspirations. Coach Martin St-Louis will be emphasizing a more aggressive and disciplined approach from the get-go. Key to their success will be the performance of their young core, particularly on the offensive side. Keep an eye on the development of their prospects. A strong start against a divisional rival like Toronto would do wonders for team morale and build momentum for the season.

Maple Leafs Aiming for Contender Status

Toronto, as always, enters the season with Stanley Cup aspirations. While they’ve made consistent regular-season success, playoff success has remained elusive. This year, the pressure is on to translate regular-season dominance into deep playoff runs. The offense, led by their star players, is expected to be potent, but improvements on defense and in net will be crucial for their ultimate success.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Auston Matthews vs. Canadiens Defense: Containing Matthews’ scoring prowess will be paramount for Montreal. Expect Shea Weber to play a significant role in trying to shut down Toronto’s top goal scorer.
• Canadiens’ Young Forwards vs. Maple Leafs’ Defense: How Montreal’s burgeoning young offensive talent fares against Toronto’s defensive corps will be a key indicator of their potential impact this season. Look for them to use their speed and skill to create scoring chances.
• Goalie Battle: The performance of both goaltenders will be critical. Will Montreal’s Carey Price be able to steal a game early in the season?

Predictions

This game is expected to be a tight, high-scoring affair. Given Toronto’s offensive firepower, they enter as slight favorites. However, if the Canadiens can capitalize on their speed and generate quality scoring chances, they could pull off an upset. Ultimately, the team that wins the special teams battle and receives solid goaltending will likely emerge victorious. Expect a score of 4-3 for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a hard-fought game.