Canadiens Top Leafs 3-2 in Season Opener, Setting Stage for a Hard‑Fought Season The NHL season kicks off with a 3-2 win for the Montreal Canadiens over the Toronto Maple Leafs, featuring standout performances from Josh Anderson, Alexandre Carrier, and Zachary Bolduc, while the Leafs debut several new players, including No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna and Russian winger Kirill Marchenko. The Montreal Canadiens swept a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening games of the 2026‑27 NHL regular season, a match that promised excitement from the very first minute. The contest took place in front of a capacity Scotiabank Arena crowd filled with fans eager to witness the Toronto franchise's new era on display after a season of significant roster changes. Montreal was boosted by the back‑to‑back contributions of Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier, each registering a goal and an assist, while rookie Zachary Bolduc scored the single between‑team goal.Montreal Goalkeeper Stops Maple Leafs ShotsMontreal's goaltender, Jakub Dobes, delivered a solid performance, stopping 25 of 27 shots and preventing any additional goal from the Leafs' attack. The Maple Leafs, who entered the opening night with fresh faces in every position, looked to capitalize on a momentum built from their brutal off‑season move, which included the acquisition of Russian winger Kirill Marchenko and the signing of No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna.Their goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, made a commendable debut by stopping 21 shots against a Montreal attack that was moving as a unit. Kyle Raddysh, Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sisson, Brandon Duhaim, Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen also played their first games for the team, providing a cohort of new talent at the Winnipeg moment.However, only William Nylander was able to keep the place in front of the net - scoring twice - and he managed to hook a 48‑second goal that tied the record held by Zdenek Nedved for the fastest goal to open a season for the franchise. Despite Nylander's efforts, the Leafs failed to level the score after their second goal, losing the opportunity for a 2‑2 tie in the final minutes.Nylander Scores Fastest Goal in Franchise HistoryMoments that defined the game began almost immediately as Nylander poked a shot past Montreal captain Nick Suzuki, racking a line at the blue line before roaring the puck up into the net. Anderson answered 20 seconds later with a set‑piece rebound that deflected in from the air margin, closed the point and set the tone for Montreal's comeback.Bolduc's clever insertion from the slot in the second period gave the Canadiens the lead in front of his name in the stands. The third period heated up when Carrier fired a winner past Bobrovsky, while Karl's 4:14 seconds left in regulation little remained for the Leafs to recover. The match also provided a platform for several debutante players to showcase their skills.Maple Leafs Debut New Signings in OpenerFor the Maple Leafs, this was the first game for Bobrovsky, who put his name for protection protecting the new face, coupled with McKenna and Marchenko's arrival in the forward lines. The Canadiens, on the other hand, had an opportunity to welcome Chris Kreider into the team after he signed following being released by the Anaheim Ducks.Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs face the New York Islanders in Wednesday's game, hoping to carry forward the momentum enjoyed in their 2024‑25 season after the offseason. The Canadiens will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, aiming to consolidate their improved challenge against the league's bright‑spot team from Wisconsin in a battle for divisional supremacy. The game was a benchmark for the Maple Leafs' "second‑spring" project.Teams Review Lineups Before Upcoming MatchesThe team's coaching staff will review how the new line‑ups functioned, and the league will observe how the pups of the next provincial sheets are tested against a resilient opponent. While the Canadiens have topped the odds to remain a formidable force heading into a strategic build-out, the Leafs will engage their new talent pool to fight a tough climb.Every gesture, every broken stick presents a lesson that will be cherished throughout the season as the teams advance toward the playoffs for the second consecutive season.