Maple Leafs open season with 5-2 win over Habs

The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of the 2025-26 NHL season. Morgan Rielly scored the game-winning goal and tagged a primary assist in a 5-2 win. Anthony Stolarz stopped 27 of 29 for his first win of the season.

First Period

1-0

Bobby McMann opened the scoring this season. John Tavares won the faceoff, William Nylander took the shot, and McMann tipped it home.

1-1

Oliver Kapanen (Kasperi's cousin) scored his first goal shorthanded.

Tis but a scratch!

Domi took the shot, tossing the puck into Montembeault's glove.

Another scratch.

Some good movement from Stolarz.

Morgan Rielly was much more dynamic this game than last year. He had a good chance at the end of the first.

Second Period

1-2

Zach Bolduc gave the Habs the lead briefly.

2-2

Calle Järnkrok scored to tie the game again! He was outside the lineup all training camp but came in this week and scored in the opener. Steven Lorentz won the battle. Rielly threw the puck towards the net after starting the play earlier with a very dangerous scramble. Järnkrok outmuscled Xhekaj for the rebound and buried it.

Robertson and Domi not able to get into the dangerous areas. Joshua trying his best against two defenders like McMann before him last season.

OEL to Benoit would've been very funny.

Third Period

3-2

Rielly scored the go-ahead goal by jumping into the rush and burying a pass from Knies. Matthew Knies with a great assist with his rush chance and staying with the play.

4-2 (ENG)

Nylander got the flip just right and Auston Matthews scored his first of the season as an empty netter. Nylander with his second point of the night.

5-2 (ENG)

Then Nylander got his own empty net goal from Lorentz and Tavares. Nylander ended with one goal and two assists, Tavares two assists, and Lorentz two assists after finding himself on Tavares' wing to defend a late lead.

The Leafs play Detroit on Saturday night. Meanwhile I'm going to keep watching the Jays. They are going to the ninth inning after the Yankees left the bases loaded in the eighth as I publish this recap. LETS GO BLUE JAYS! Nathan Lukes you are a legend.