The 116th season of the Montreal Canadiens began with an exciting matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This intense rivalry kicked off the season with their first game on a Wednesday evening.
Game Overview
Just one minute into the game, Toronto’s Bobby McMann scored the opening goal. After sitting out last year’s opening game, he seized this opportunity. McMann redirected a shot by William Nylander past Montreal goalie Samuel Montembeault.
Montreal’s defense was impressive last season, particularly in penalty kills. Continuing this trend, rookie Oliver Kapanen netted his first NHL goal at 5:39 of the first period. He capitalized on a defensive mishap, breaking free and beating goalie Anthony Stolarz.
Pre-Game Notes
- Montreal seeks its first win in Toronto since 2021.
- New players Zachary Bolduc and Noah Dobson aim to make an impact.
- Returning star Patrik Laine looks to improve on his previous season.
- Juraj Slafkovsky hopes for a strong start, teaming up with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
Last season, Montreal surprised everyone with their strong performance in the second half, culminating in a playoff appearance. Despite having the youngest roster in the league, they aim to prove they’re a team to be reckoned with this season.
Impact of Player Transfers
Toronto faces a significant change with Mitch Marner’s transfer to the Vegas Golden Knights. Nonetheless, their offense remains potent with stars like Auston Matthews and John Tavares leading the charge.
Upcoming Matches
After facing the Maple Leafs, the Canadiens will continue their road trip against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday and the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.
Team Rosters
| Montreal Canadiens | Toronto Maple Leafs |
|---|---|
| Caufield | Knies |
| Suzuki | Matthews |
| Slafkovsky | Maccelli |
| Bolduc | McMann |
| Dach | Tavares |
| Gallagher | Nylander |
As the season unfolds, fans eagerly await whether the Canadiens can maintain their momentum and how the Maple Leafs will adapt to their roster changes.
