Opening loss shows Maple Leafs need more time to gel

William Nylander had both Leafs goals, but Montreal won 3-2

Published Sep 29, 2026  •  Last updated 13 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Gavin McKenna of the Toronto Maple Leafs (left) battles for the puck with Mike Matheson of the Montréal Canadiens in the second period at Scotiabank Arena on Sept. 29, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Chris Tanouye /Getty Images

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Better work on identifying those new name tags, Maple Leafs.

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While there has been roster upheaval right up to opening night, it will take a bit more get-to-know you games than a couple of exhibitions.

The Montreal Canadiens, who made far fewer off-season changes, were more cohesive on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena, while goaltender Jakub Dobes stopped almost all the Leafs who came near. The Habs earned the 3-2 decision, reversing five straight Toronto home wins against them to begin an NHL season.

Toronto’s lineup, introduced with pyrotechnics and a giant Leaf, was the final product of general manager John Chayka’s summer slam of the roster. Ten new players, including Kirill Marchenko a day after the Matthew Knies trade, were in the starting lineup. Marchenko, Gavin McKenna (in his first NHL game) and venerable John Tavares received the loudest cheers from close to 19,000 fans given ‘Passion Never Sleeps’ rally towels.

The changes spanned all positions, Sergei Bobrovsky in goal, new first-line winger Marchenko, and five of the bottom six forwards.

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Once Marchenko had his immigration papers cleared Tuesday, it didn’t take him long to make an impact. At the end of his first shift — debuting on his irregular left side in Knies’ place so Jack Roslovic wasn’t out of sorts after playing on Auston Matthews’ right through camp — he took out his man to allow the incoming William Nylander space for a goal 48 seconds in.

The line was the Leafs’ best, highlighted by a second-period shift with lengthy possession. Marchenko nearly bagged a wraparound and Roslovic gave up a prime shot to feed an unprepared Matthews.

Nylander tied the fourth-fastest goal by Toronto in a season opener, but despite peppering Dobes, a Nick Paul minor broke momentum and frequent Leaf killer Josh Anderson batted in a high rebound at 5-on-5. From there, Montreal gave the Leafs little room to maneuver, or jumped on their soft passes. That included one by McKenna on Alexandre Carrier’s screen from the point for the third Montreal goal.

On Nylander’s second goal with 4:14 to go, it was Cowan inserted in McKenna’s place on the line with Tavares.

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While Dobes went on to deny Nylander a hat trick, as well as Matthews and Marchenko, defenceman Mike Matheson came down the left wall past an attempted stick check by Nylander and set up Zach Bolduc, who slipped through slot coverage to score Montreal’s second goal.

The Leafs get little time to mope, facing the New York Islanders on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena, with Anthony Stolarz expected to start in net for Toronto. Bobrovsky needed to be alert for breakdowns in stopping 21 shots.

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