Canadiens: Suzuki leads more seasoned group into opener in Toronto

The Montreal Canadiens will drop the puck on their 2026-27 season Tuesday night in Toronto under circumstances very different from a year ago. They arrive at Scotiabank Arena as a 106-point team coming off a surprise run to the NHL’s final four, carrying not just confidence but also a new level of scrutiny around a core that has largely stayed intact.

Captain Nick Suzuki, speaking at the team hotel downtown, acknowledged that their recent success has changed how the club is viewed. At the same time, he emphasized that this remains a young group with more to prove, noting that the team’s internal belief must now be backed up by results from the opening week onward.

Stable core for Canadiens, revamped Leafs on other side

While the Toronto Maple Leafs have spent the past few weeks reshaping their lineup — highlighted by Monday’s sizeable trade to acquire Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets — the Canadiens have opted for continuity. The most notable tweak up front is the addition of Chris Kreider, who is expected to open the season on the first line with Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

Camp standout Florian Xhekaj will not dress for the opener, nor will defenceman Adam Engstrom. Even so, Montreal’s structure remains built around the same core that engineered last season’s surge, reinforcing the sense that management is betting on organic growth rather than sweeping changes.

From “magical spring” to grind of an 84-game schedule

For Suzuki, last spring’s playoff experience offered a clearer picture of what a true contender looks like and what it takes to beat one. He pointed to the importance of starting the season well to secure a strong position in the standings and highlighted details and nightly consistency as non-negotiables. The captain also referenced the mental challenge of a now 84-game schedule, which will test the group’s resilience over the long haul.

Veteran defenceman Mike Matheson is pushing for what amounts to selective amnesia. As he put it, questions about last season "have nothing to do with anything" now, arguing that both he and the team have already moved on. In his view, the 2026-27 campaign is a new chapter, and the Maple Leafs are unconcerned with what Montreal did months ago. He cautioned against looking too far ahead in a tough Atlantic Division, saying the Canadiens need to keep their feet on the ground and focus on the task immediately in front of them.

The long-standing rivalry between Montreal and Toronto will therefore be rekindled right from opening night. For the Canadiens, this road game represents an instant measuring stick: a chance to show that last spring’s breakthrough was the start of a sustained rise, not a one-off run.