In an exciting start to the NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs emerged victorious over the Montreal Canadiens with a solid 5-2 win. Morgan Rielly shined, scoring the game-winner in the third period and contributing an assist. Bobby McMann and Calle Jarnkrok also found the back of the net for Toronto, followed by empty-net goals from Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Anthony Stolarz’s stellar performance with 27 saves helped secure the win in both teams’ season opener, with Nylander, John Tavares, and Steven Lorentz notching two assists each.
On the Canadiens’ side, Oliver Kapanen scored his first NHL goal, while Zachary Bolduc also netted a goal. Sam Montembeault made 23 saves in goal for Montreal, but it wasn’t enough to hold back Toronto’s offensive power.
The game showcased a mix of new faces and established stars, with Toronto debuting players like Roy, Matias Maccelli, and Dakota Joshua. The absence of Mitch Marner, who recently departed for the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal, created opportunities for the Leafs to redistribute responsibilities across the team.
A standout moment came when Leafs winger Matthew Knies set up Rielly for the game-winning goal, showcasing determination and teamwork. Notably, Kapanen’s short-handed goal marked a milestone for the Canadiens, making him only the fifth player in franchise history to achieve this feat.
This matchup between the Leafs and Canadiens marked a historic occasion, as the two teams faced off for the 23rd time in a season opener, setting an NHL record. Looking ahead, the Canadiens will travel to face the Detroit Red Wings, while the Leafs will also take on the Red Wings in their next game.
