The Toronto Maple Leafs open the 2026-27 NHL preseason Saturday night with a rare doubleheader against the Montreal Canadiens, giving fans in both cities an early look at their teams before the regular season begins.
The split-squad exhibition games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern time on September 19, 2026. One Canadiens group will play at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, while another faces a Leafs group at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Canadiens’ game-day preview provides details on the split-squad matchups.
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Two games, one rivalry
Rather than sending one full roster to a single venue, both clubs have divided their training-camp groups. The arrangement allows more players to receive game action at the beginning of a shortened preseason.
The NHL’s 2026 preseason contains 65 games across eight days, according to the league’s preseason schedule. The compressed schedule is tied to the league’s move to an 84-game regular season, which adds two games for each club compared with the previous 82-game format.
For Montreal, the split-squad opener is the first of five exhibition games scheduled across three dates. The Canadiens are also set to meet Ottawa in Trois-Rivières on September 21 before another pair of split-squad games against the Senators on September 26.
Gavin McKenna set for Maple Leafs debut
The Toronto game carries additional interest because Gavin McKenna, the first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, is expected to make his preseason debut for the Maple Leafs, as noted in the league’s report.
McKenna is projected to skate on a line with veteran centre John Tavares and winger William Nylander. Toronto coach Jim Hiller said the trio had worked together during the first days of training camp and had shown early chemistry.
The 18-year-old forward is not the only Toronto player expected to make a first appearance for the club. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who signed with the Maple Leafs on July 1, is expected to start in the Toronto matchup.
Captain Auston Matthews is also part of the early-season storyline as Toronto assesses its roster ahead of the regular season. However, preseason lineups can change before puck drop, and exhibition results do not determine regular-season standings.
Canadiens divide their goaltenders
Montreal head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed that Team A will remain in Montreal while Team B travels to Toronto. Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kaapo Kahkonen and Samuel Montembeault are scheduled to share the goaltending duties between the two games.
The Canadiens said projected lineups were released after the morning skate, with players divided between the Bell Centre contest and the game at Scotiabank Arena. Final combinations may still change before the opening faceoff.
What fans should know
- Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
- Matchup: Montreal Canadiens versus Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto, with a simultaneous split-squad game in Montreal
- Toronto venue: Scotiabank Arena
- Montreal venue: Bell Centre
- Game status: Preseason exhibition
Fans attending the Bell Centre game should also allow extra travel time because Montreal is preparing for traffic disruptions connected with the UCI Road World Championships, which begin in the city on September 20. The Canadiens are encouraging supporters to consider public transit.
Regular-season meeting follows soon
The rivalry will return quickly after the exhibition opener. Montreal is scheduled to visit Toronto on Tuesday, September 29, for the Maple Leafs’ regular-season opener and one of the first games of the 2026-27 NHL campaign.
That makes Saturday’s games an early evaluation point for prospects, newcomers and players competing for roster positions, but the main objective remains preparation. Coaches will be watching how players handle NHL pace, special teams, goaltending assignments and line combinations before the games begin to count.
For supporters searching for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, the key distinction is that there are two simultaneous preseason matchups rather than one regular-season game. The most prominent Toronto storyline is McKenna’s debut, while Montreal begins assessing its roster under a condensed camp schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do the Maple Leafs and Canadiens play on September 19, 2026?
Both split-squad preseason games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Why are there two Maple Leafs and Canadiens games on the same night?
The clubs are using split squads, dividing their training-camp players between simultaneous games in Toronto and Montreal.
Where is the Toronto Maple Leafs game being played?
The Toronto game is scheduled for Scotiabank Arena, while the other split-squad game is at Montreal’s Bell Centre.
Is Gavin McKenna playing for the Maple Leafs?
McKenna is expected to make his Toronto preseason debut and is projected to play with John Tavares and William Nylander.
When do the Maple Leafs and Canadiens meet in the regular season?
Montreal is scheduled to visit Toronto on September 29, 2026, for the Maple Leafs’ regular-season opener.
Fact-Checked: Key schedule, venue, split-squad, lineup and player-debut details were checked against official NHL and team information published on September 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: Preseason lineups and projected starters can change before puck drop, and exhibition results do not count toward the regular-season standings.