Montreal Edges Toronto 3-2 in Opening‑Day Clash as New Stars Shine In a dramatic opener, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 with goals from Anderson, Carrier and Bolduc, while William Nylander scored twice for Toronto. The game highlighted the debut of several new Leafs players, including No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna and Kirill Marchenko, and set the stage for both teams' early‑season campaigns. The first regular‑season meeting of the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs was a high‑energy affair that saw Montreal edge Toronto 3-2 in a game that delivered a thrilling start for both clubs. Josh Anderson and Alexander Carrier each notched one goal and an assist for the visiting Canadians, while Zachary Bolduc added another scoring contribution. Montreal's goaltender Jakub Dobes recorded 25 saves in his debut for the club, and the team's offense also benefited from the presence of new‑acquire Chris Kreider, who made his first appearance earlier in the month.Toronto's offensive star William Nylander opened the contest with a lightning‑quick goal just 48 seconds into the first period, beating the Canadiens' defense by out‑threatening captain Nick Suzuki at the blue line before pouring a shot into the net. Anderson promptly answered in the eighth minute of the first period, batting a rebound from mid‑air and skating into the slot to level the score.Bolduc Goal Gave Canadiens Second Period LeadThe turning point came in the second period when Bolduc found a clear slot and made a well‑timed shot to give Montreal a 2‑1 advantage that they held until the end of regulation. The Maple Leafs fought back in the final minutes of the game, with Nylander managing a second goal at the 4:14 mark of the third period.However, the home side was unable to find a dramatic equalizer in the closing minutes, and the Canadiens' defense held strong for the remainder of the period. Toronto's new roster changes also began to take shape on the ice: No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna and Russian winger Kirill Marchenko both made their debuts alongside seven other newcomers following a restructuring that saw the Original Six club miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade.Early Season Tone Set For Both FranchisesSteve York's record was upheld as Jackson had 21 saves in his first game against the Leafs, but the Canadian ramped up the offence for the rest of the season. This opening tie has set the tone for both franchises. The Canadiens will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, continuing their resurgence after a lengthy rebuild, while Toronto will host the New York Islanders on Wednesday.The results from these games will continue to shape each team's early-season trajectory as they aim for depth and consistency. For the Canadiens, the game showcased the effectiveness of a forward line blend of veteran skill and youthful vigor, while for the Maple Leafs, it illustrated how the new acquisitions will be integrated into their offensive system. Both teams appear poised to capitalize on their momentum for the remainder of the season.