Strong Start, Uneven Finish for Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off their 2025-26 campaign with a 5-2 victory over the rival Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. While the final score gave the Leafs a winning start, the performance was a mixed bag with both bright spots and areas needing improvement.
Key Moments
The Maple Leafs came out flying, scoring three goals in the opening period to take control of the game. William Nylander, Calle Jarnkrok, and Morgan Rielly all found the back of the net to give Toronto a comfortable lead. However, the Canadiens battled back in the second period, with goals from Easton Cowan and Matias Maccelli cutting the deficit to one.
In the third period, Auston Matthews sealed the win with an empty-net goal, while Nylander added another late tally to make the final score 5-2.
Player Impact
Veteran defenseman Jake McCabe had a strong debut for the Leafs, providing a physical presence and helping to steady the team's own zone. Newcomer Matias Maccelli also impressed, scoring a goal and generating several chances for the Canadiens.
On the Toronto side, Nylander's two-goal performance was a bright spot, while captain John Tavares and defenseman Morgan Rielly also chipped in offensively. However, the top line of Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Maccelli struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the night.
TL;DR
- The Toronto Maple Leafs opened their season with a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, but the performance was uneven.
- The Leafs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period before the Canadiens battled back to make it a one-goal game.
- William Nylander led the way offensively for Toronto with two goals, while newcomer Matias Maccelli had a strong game for Montreal.
- The Leafs' top line, including Auston Matthews, failed to make a major impact, an area the team will look to improve moving forward.