Canadiens Take Both Split-Squad Preseason Games Against Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs opened their 2026 NHL preseason Saturday night with a pair of split-squad games against the Montreal Canadiens, and Montreal came away with victories in both cities.

Toronto Game: Canadiens 4, Maple Leafs 1

At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the Canadiens defeated the Maple Leafs 4-1.

The game also marked the preseason debut of Gavin McKenna, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. McKenna recorded three shots on goal and a blocked shot while playing more than 23 minutes.

Toronto's lone goal came from Darren Raddysh, who scored on the power play in his first game with the Maple Leafs.

Montreal's Phillip Danault scored twice, while Maksymilian Szuber and Samuel Poulin also found the net. Danault opened the scoring just 51 seconds into the game.

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky also made his Maple Leafs debut, stopping 10 shots before Anthony Stolarz entered midway through the second period. Stolarz finished with 15 saves.

Montreal Game: Canadiens 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)

Meanwhile, at Bell Centre in Montreal, the Maple Leafs came much closer but fell 4-3 in overtime.

Toronto erased an early 2-0 deficit by scoring three consecutive goals. Henrik Rybinski recorded a goal and an assist, while Colton Sissons scored in his Maple Leafs debut. Marc Johnstone later gave Toronto a 3-2 lead late in the second period.

Montreal tied the game in the third period on a goal from Lane Hutson.

Cole Caufield then scored with just 38 seconds remaining in overtime, giving the Canadiens the 4-3 victory and completing Montreal's sweep of the two split-squad games.

Looking Ahead

The games marked Toronto's first action of the 2026 preseason as coaches continue evaluating new players, prospects and possible lineup combinations ahead of the regular season.

While preseason results do not count toward the standings, the games provide teams with an opportunity to assess depth, chemistry and roster competition before opening night.