As summer winds down, Quebec hockey fans can finally turn their attention back to the NHL. The 2026–2027 campaign is shaping up to feel fuller and more demanding, with an expanded schedule, a Canadiens team coming off a memorable spring, and an opening night that should draw plenty of interest across the province.
Montreal’s preseason slate arrives fast
The Montreal Canadiens have already released their preseason schedule, and it is a compact one. Instead of spreading exhibition play across many dates, the team will fit five games into just three days, creating a quick run of action before the real season begins.
The first test comes on September 19 with split-squad matchups against the Toronto Maple Leafs in both Montreal and Toronto. Two days later, on September 21, the Canadiens head to Trois-Rivières to meet the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron in a Kraft Hockeyville event, giving local supporters a rare chance to watch the club close to home.
The preseason wraps up on September 26 with another pair of split-squad games against Ottawa. Home-game tickets went on sale August 5, so fans have had time to plan ahead and secure seats.
A busier NHL calendar changes the rhythm
This season also brings a notable shift for the league itself. Each team will now play 84 regular-season games, which is two more than before, pushing the league total to 1,344 games. The regular season will finish on April 16, leaving clubs with a tighter and more demanding schedule than in previous years.
That added workload could make every point matter a little more, especially for teams with playoff hopes that may depend on late-season consistency. For fans, it also means a longer stretch of meaningful hockey and more chances to follow divisional races as they unfold.
Why September matters before the puck drops
September often feels like the bridge between offseason anticipation and the return of real competition, but this year it carries even more weight. Montreal’s preseason trip to Trois-Rivières adds a local storyline, while the compressed format of the exhibition schedule should keep attention high from the first day.
With the Canadiens preparing for another season and the league moving into a heavier calendar, the weeks before opening night will help set expectations. For hockey fans in Quebec, the wait is nearly over.
