Hockey returns with a familiar jolt: Toronto and Montréal are set to open the 2026-27 NHL preseason against each other on Saturday, September 19. For fans across Canada, it is a classic matchup right out of the gate.
The unusual twist is that the teams will play two split-squad games at the same time, one in Toronto and one in Montréal. Both faceoffs are scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, giving supporters in both cities a reason to lock in from the first night of exhibition play.
A Rare Doubleheader Built Around Split Squads
This is a planning choice, not a mistake. Each club is sending one group of players to Scotiabank Arena and another to the Bell Centre, so coaches can judge more skaters in actual game action on the same evening.
That approach matters even more because the preseason is shorter than it used to be. The NHL preseason runs from September 19 through September 26, and the regular season begins on September 29.
With fewer exhibition dates available, every shift carries more weight. Young players, depth forwards, and bubble defensemen have less time to make an impression before rosters start taking shape.
How the Schedule Shift Changes the Stakes
The league’s calendar has also been adjusted in another major way. The regular season has grown from 82 games to 84, which adds more demand to a year that now offers fewer tune-up opportunities.
That combination puts extra pressure on coaching staffs. They have to sort out line combinations, test special teams looks, and evaluate prospects in a much tighter window than before.
- Coaches can compare fringe roster players in live game situations.
- Veterans can get just enough work to build rhythm without heavy minutes.
- Systems on the power play and penalty kill can be tested without risking standings points.
What Toronto Supporters Should Track
Preseason scores rarely reveal much on their own, so Toronto fans should focus more on usage than the final result. The most useful clues will come from ice time, line placement, and which younger players are trusted in meaningful situations.
Special teams will also deserve attention. Exhibition games often reveal which players are being considered for key roles on the man advantage and in short-handed situations.
Montréal Brings Real Confidence Into Camp
The Canadiens arrive with genuine momentum after a strong 2025-26 season. Montréal finished with 106 points and made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final, which has raised expectations around the organization.
That confidence has also been reflected behind the bench. Head coach Martin St. Louis received a multi-year contract extension, giving the team stability as camp opens.
St. Louis has helped push the club forward year after year. Montréal’s point total climbed from 68 in 2022-23 to 76, then 91, and finally 106 last season, a steady rise that has reshaped the team’s identity.
The Canadiens no longer look like a rebuilding group simply hoping for progress. After reaching the conference final, they enter the new season expected to compete again.
The Rivalry Gets an Early Preview Before September 29
Saturday’s preseason meeting is only the first chapter. Toronto and Montréal will see each other again when the regular season opens on September 29, which gives this exhibition matchup added relevance.
The lineups will be different by then, and the pace will be sharper, but the rivalry does not need much introduction. Every meeting between these teams still feels bigger than a typical game.
For Canadian hockey fans, September 19 is the signal that summer is over. The NHL is back, the Leafs and Canadiens are back, and one of the sport’s most recognizable rivalries starts another season.