Tonight marks the debut of four Canadian teams in the exciting 2025-26 NHL season. The schedule for the day includes two thrilling all-Canadian showdowns: the Edmonton Oilers facing off against the Calgary Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Montreal Canadiens.
The Oilers, who were the runners-up in the past two Stanley Cup finals, are considered top contenders for the championship this season. Their morale is high following superstar captain Connor McDavid’s decision to extend his contract with the team for another two years at a team-friendly rate.
The Calgary Flames, hailing from Alberta, are also optimistic for the new season after narrowly missing the playoffs in the previous year.
As the Maple Leafs kick off the season, they are aiming for a successful playoff run, albeit missing star forward Mitch Marner. Goalie Joseph Woll is absent due to personal reasons, and Scott Laughton is sidelined with a lower-body injury.
The Montreal Canadiens, who surprised many with their playoff appearance last season, are eager to elevate their game further with a talented young core.
Tomorrow, the remaining three Canadian teams will play their first games: the Ottawa Senators against Tampa Bay, the Winnipeg Jets hosting Dallas, and the Vancouver Canucks entertaining Calgary.