"The Maple Leafs face just two playoff teams from last season this October, and one of them is tonight's opponent, who finished with just 91 points last season (17th in the NHL, eighth in the East). Eight of the 11 games this month are also played at home. Taking full advantage with a fast start technically isn't essential in a long 82-game season, but it is an important first step toward a successful Atlantic Division regular-season title defense."
"Three of Toronto's four forward lines will include a Leaf making his debut tonight, as Matias Maccelli starts on Auston Matthews' right wing, Dakota Joshua starts on Max Domi's left wing, and Nic Roy centers Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok on the fourth line. Chemistry may not be instantaneous, especially given Craig Berube pivoted and changed three of his four lines later in the preseason after Scott Laughton's injury."
Maple Leafs and Canadiens open regular seasons against each other for the 29th time, with the game at 7:00 p.m. on Sportsnet. Toronto faces only two playoff teams from last season in October, one being Montreal, which finished with 91 points (17th overall, eighth in the East). Eight of Toronto's 11 October games are at home, making an early fast start helpful for defending the Atlantic Division regular-season title. Toronto leans on continuity with the same six defensemen and goaltenders Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. Multiple forward-debut matchups create chemistry questions after Mitch Marner's departure and preseason line shifts. Montreal finished 15-5-6 after the break at the 4 Nations Face-Off with a .692 points percentage, returns its four 20-goal scorers, adds Noah Dobson to a defense anchored by Lane Hutson, and brings rookie Ivan Demidov for a full season.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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