Published 1 hour ago • loading... • Updated 51 minutes ago
Carrier’s Goal Late in the 3rd Period Helps Canadiens Beat Maple Leafs 3-2
Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier each had a goal and an assist as Montreal opened the season with a 3-2 win.
On Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in the regular-season opener for both teams. Josh Anderson, Alexandre Carrier, and Zachary Bolduc scored for Montreal, while William Nylander replied with two goals for Toronto.
Following a last-place finish in the Atlantic Division last season, the Maple Leafs overhauled their roster during the off-season. Toronto added goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, defenseman Kirill Marchenko, and first overall pick Gavin McKenna to address performance gaps.
Nylander tied a franchise record with a 48-second opening goal, while Marchenko recorded an assist in his debut less than 24 hours after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jakub Dobes made 25 saves to secure the win for Montreal.
Questions regarding Toronto's goaltending and defense persisted following Tuesday's loss, as the team struggled to generate sufficient offense when it mattered most. The Maple Leafs failed to find an equalizer late in regulation despite their offensive talent.
Toronto hosts the New York Islanders on Wednesday, while Montreal visits the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Both teams aim to build momentum as the 2026 season continues.