Hockey returns on Saturday, September 19, and it does so with one of the sport’s most recognizable rivalries. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montréal Canadiens will meet to open their preseason schedules, giving fans an immediate reminder that the NHL is back.
The matchup comes with a rare twist. Instead of one game, the clubs will stage split-squad contests in both cities at the same time, with faceoffs set for 7 p.m. ET in Toronto and Montréal.
Two Arenas, One Rivalry
This setup is intentional, not accidental. Each team is dividing its roster so one group plays at Scotiabank Arena while another group takes the ice at the Bell Centre.
The format gives coaches a chance to evaluate more players in real game situations on the same night. With a shorter preseason, that kind of efficiency matters more than usual.
| Game | Location | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens split squad | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto | 7 p.m. ET |
| Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs split squad | Bell Centre, Montréal | 7 p.m. ET |
The preseason itself runs from September 19 through September 26, and the regular season begins on September 29. That compressed schedule leaves teams with fewer exhibition games than in past years.
A Shorter Preseason, More Pressure on Each Game
The league’s schedule changes this year are significant. The regular season has grown from 82 games to 84, while the preseason has been trimmed.
That means every appearance now carries more weight for players trying to earn jobs. It also leaves less room for extended experimentation with prospects, line combinations, and special teams units.
For fringe roster players, the margin for error is smaller. A strong night can matter, and a quiet one can be costly.
What Toronto Fans Should Focus On
The Maple Leafs are not measuring success by the scoreboard alone in September. Their main goal is to learn which players can handle bigger roles and which combinations deserve more time together.
Younger skaters deserve extra attention, especially if they are logging shifts with established NHL players. Special teams are also worth watching, since preseason games are the best time to test power-play setups and penalty-killing pairs without regular-season consequences.
Montréal Brings Real Confidence Into Camp
The Canadiens arrive with momentum after a strong 2025-26 season that produced 106 points and a trip to the Eastern Conference Final. That leap has changed the atmosphere around the team.
Montréal has also settled one major question by extending head coach Martin St. Louis on a multi-year deal. The move gives the club stability entering camp and removes uncertainty about the bench.
Under St. Louis, the Canadiens have moved steadily upward, climbing from 68 points in 2022-23 to 76, then 91, and finally 106 last season. That progression has raised expectations across the fan base.
A Preview of Another Big Night on September 29
Saturday’s exhibition games are only the first chapter. Toronto and Montréal will meet again when the regular season opens on September 29, making this preseason opener a quick preview of a far more meaningful matchup.
The lineups will be different and the intensity will rise, but the feeling around the rivalry will not change. For Canadian hockey fans, this is the real sign that summer is over.
