Canadiens vs Maple Leafs Game Thread Lineups and Viewing Guide
Montreal Canadiens Kick Off 2025-26 Season Against Toronto Maple Leafs
Exciting Matchup Between Canadiens and Maple Leafs
The Montreal Canadiens are set to face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs this evening at 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT. Canadian fans can catch the action on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, while the game will be available for streaming on ESPN+ and Sportsnet+. Emegypt will provide a detailed recap, featuring top comments just after the game in our Top Six Minutes instant recap article.
New Faces and Key Players in Montreal’s Lineup
With the 2025-26 NHL season underway, the Montreal Canadiens will showcase a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent. Among the newcomers, 26-year-old Noah Dobson joins the defensive line, stepping into a key role following the retirement of David Savard. Dobson is expected to bring top-pairing-caliber performance, secured for at least the next eight seasons.
Forward Zachary Bolduc is another notable addition, coming off a strong finish to the previous season with 19 goals for the St. Louis Blues. His target this season is to surpass Joel Armia’s highest goal tally for the Canadiens.
Oliver Kapanen Takes Key Position at Center
Oliver Kapanen is set to fill the position of second-line center, a role previously held by Christian Dvorak, now with the Philadelphia Flyers. Kapanen impressed during the preseason alongside Alex Newhook and rookie Ivan Demidov, ensuring their spots were secured early in the lineup.
Star-Studded Top Line to Watch
The Canadiens’ top line features a dynamic trio: Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovský, supported by Lane Hutson on defense. Their preseason performance promises an exciting season as they transition into games where every point matters.
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup
| Left Wing | Centre | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Cole Caufield | Nick Suzuki | Juraj Slafkovský |
| Alex Newhook | Oliver Kapanen | Ivan Demidov |
| Zachary Bolduc | Kirby Dach | Brendan Gallagher |
| Patrik Laine | Jake Evans | Josh Anderson |
| Left Defence | Right Defence |
|---|---|
| Kaiden Guhle | Lane Hutson |
| Mike Matheson | Noah Dobson |
| Arber Xhekaj | Alexandre Carrier |
| Starter | Backup |
|---|---|
| Samuel Montembeault | Jakub Dobeš |
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lineup
| Left Wing | Centre | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Knies | Auston Matthews | Matias Maccelli |
| Bobby McMann | John Tavares | William Nylander |
| Dakota Joshua | Max Domi | Nick Robertson |
| Steven Lorentz | Nicolas Roy | Calle Jarnkrok |
| Left Defence | Right Defence |
|---|---|
| Jake McCabe | Chris Tanev |
| Morgan Rielly | Brandon Carlo |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson | Simon Benoit |
| Starter | Backup |
|---|---|
| Anthony Stolarz | Cayden Primeau |
The highly anticipated season opener promises a thrilling contest in Toronto, with both teams eager to make an early impression. Stay tuned for Emegypt’s post-game coverage for insights and highlights.
