Early Season Battle Lines Drawn in Montreal Canadiens Opener Against the Toronto Maple Leafs – Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

On Wednesday, the NHL offers fans a number of marquee matchups, especially the battle between two old rivals in the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unlike previous seasons, Wednesday night's curtain raiser is at the Bell Center. What should fans expect from the game and the Habs in particular? Let's talk.

Canadiens and Leafs Tempers Flare

The organization of this competition has come on time. That goes beyond the fact that the league annually puts these oddball opponents on the first Wednesday of the calendar. Montreal and Toronto clashed in the preseason at the Bell Center on Saturday, September 28. That was it it it happened.

The Maple Leafs were the best dressed American Hockey League players that night. One of them, forward Cedric Pare, tried to block Montreal's new acquisition, Patrik Laine, as the latter entered the Leafs' zone early in the game. The result was a nasty knee-to-knee collision, which Laine got the worst of. He was out for two to three months.

If that didn't make the game tense enough, Montreal defender Arber Xhekaj took it upon himself to let Pare know what he thought of the incident. Suffice it to say that Xhekaj not only expressed his displeasure with words but also used his fists.

With a day to go before puck drop, it looks like Xhekaj may still be part of the opening night lineup. What that means for potential anger on the ice is anyone's guess. It doesn't seem like Pare will be there. But the other team is wearing the same white and blue jerseys.

Whether Xhekaj is there or not, one wonders what kind of extracurricular activities might erupt after the whistle blows. The last thing Canadians want their opponents to believe is that they are soft. Head coach Martin St. Louis may not be ejected again if one of his players becomes excessive and endangers the integrity of the league. A good slide line. It's also Toronto versus Montreal, so a fine line can be tossed aside for messaging.

Welcome to Lane Hutson and New Faces

Perhaps to the surprise of a few people, defenseman Lane Hutson made the official roster for 2024-2025. Montreal fans and NHL fans probably remember his arrival on the scene last April.

The Canadiens weren't just playing with pride the next night against the Detroit Red Wings. Given the circumstances, the coaching staff saw fit to give the then-expected Hutson a few games. Montreal missed out on both nights, but many have lasting impressions of just how good the Illinois native looked. He is fast, agile, has good stick handling, and is a solid defender. Now, he is also only 20 years old. Hutson may not be Norris Trophy material on Wednesday or this season, but his ceiling is very high. It wouldn't be fair to ask too much of him compared to a high-flying Leafs unit, but there's an undeniable curiosity about what might happen if he and, say, Auston Matthews or William Nylander went head-to-head. It looks like he will be paired with veteran David Savard.

Another young player who has impressed during preseason and camp is 22-year-old forward Emil Heineman. He is not exactly a striker as he is fit for the club four times in 2023-24. After all, without adding a point, you still end up with a plus-2 rating. The Swede is expected to play alongside Jakes Evans and Brendan Gallagher.

Finally, 27-year-old Alex Barre-Boulet, who said, according to sourceswill play a role in the second power play unit. ABB – as he is known – spent time in Seattle with the Kraken and Tampa Bay and Lightning. Technically he has been in the league for five seasons, but the most games he has played was 34 in 2023-24 with the Lightning. His effort in camp and during the preseason apparently impressed the coaching staff enough; if he plays well, he will prove to be a treasure to fans who don't get to entertain the Quebec native as often as one might think.

Suzuki Top Line Needs A Good Start

Whether the Canadiens collect two points against the Maple Leafs or not, one thing that would be nice to see is confirmation that the top line of Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield is fully functional. A goal or two, strong playmaking ability, and visible chemistry can all be signs of that.

Montreal's top line looked pretty good last season. With playoff aspirations officially fading, the Slafkovsky, Suzuki, Caufield connection was one of the few bright spots that delighted fans despite another losing campaign.

Related: Montreal Canadiens best and worst scenarios for 2024-25

This was particularly encouraging as it was not long ago that Caufield suffered a serious injury which cut him short for 2022-23. That was the same season the organization was called out for making a poor pick with then-rookie Slafkovsky. How things have changed in 12 months.

But all that is history now. Fans have seen what the trio can do when there isn't much on the line. What does it look like when the long regular season begins for a franchise that can do without a fourth consecutive shutout campaign?

Toronto vs. Montreal is the dreaded tradition the NHL will make starting the first week of the season. Few truly believe that, pound for pound, the Canadiens are better than the Maple Leafs, but they have the ability to play up to the level of this particular opponent. Montreal doesn't have to win – although that would be welcome – but it should at least show that fans have a lot to look forward to in 2024-25.