The Montreal Canadiens opened the 2026/27 season with a 3-2 victory at the Toronto Maple Leafs. In Toronto's home opener, the lead changed hands multiple times before Montreal came away with the win. For the Maple Leafs, the result also ended a run of ten consecutive home-opening victories. The game marked the NHL debut of Gavin McKenna, as well as the first appearance in a Toronto uniform for new acquisition Sergei Bobrovsky and head coach Jim Hiller.
Nylander answered Anderson
Toronto made the stronger start and went ahead early through William Nylander. The forward held the puck at the blue line, skated around Nick Suzuki, and fired a wrist shot from the right face-off circle into the near corner. The Maple Leafs had capitalized on their first real offensive push of the evening.
Montreal refused to be rattled and found an answer before the end of the first period. Josh Anderson deflected a shot from the blue line and then batted his own rebound out of the air at the top of the crease. The score stood at 1-1 after the opening period, with the Canadiens keeping the game alive and being rewarded for their sustained offensive-zone pressure.
Bolduc put Montreal ahead
The second period shifted in favour of the away team. Mike Matheson drove the attack and slid the puck into the slot, where Zachary Bolduc collected it and beat Sergei Bobrovsky with a wrist shot. Montreal held the lead for the first time, while Toronto failed to find the back of the net in the middle frame.
The score read 1-2 from Toronto's perspective heading into the third period. The Maple Leafs needed to rediscover their offensive game in the final frame, while Montreal set about protecting the lead with disciplined work in their own zone. For Bobrovsky, it was his first regular-season appearance since joining Toronto. The two-time Stanley Cup champion could not prevent the deficit despite his efforts between the pipes.
Carrier extended the lead, Nylander pulled one back
In the third period, Alexandre Carrier pushed Montreal's advantage to two goals. His shot from the right blue line found its way through a crowd of skaters, leaving Bobrovsky without a clear sight line and unable to make the stop. The Canadiens were closing in on the road win.
Toronto responded when William Nylander pulled one back. In a give-and-go with Easton Cowan, Cowan received the pass at the side of the net and set Nylander free in the near slot. Nylander beat Jakub Dobeš glove side to bring the Maple Leafs back within one, but the goal ultimately had no bearing on the outcome.
Montreal takes two points out of Toronto
The third period ended 1-1, but the Canadiens held off Toronto's late push to see out the remaining minutes. Montreal earned a season-opening victory while the Maple Leafs began their new campaign with a defeat. For Gavin McKenna, his NHL debut offered little personal reward despite the milestone occasion: he finished the game with a minus-2 rating, one shot on goal, and 15:19 of ice time.
The Canadiens' victory carried added significance in the context of Toronto's home opener. Jim Hiller began his tenure as Maple Leafs head coach with a narrow defeat, while Montreal secured their season-opening win in Toronto with a composed and controlled final period rather than allowing the Maple Leafs a way back into the game.
