Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs: Live score, updates, highlights from season-opening game

By | October 13, 2021
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The last time these two teams met, the Canadiens celebrated ending the Maple Leafs’ season.

On May 31, the two Original Six squads faced off in a winner-take-all Game 7 that saw Montreal complete the comeback of a 3-1 series deficit with a 3-1 win. A season of “All or Nothing” was nothing for the Leafs, whose Stanley Cup drought of 54 years marched on with the defeat.

But now the calendar has flipped to October. Both teams have seen changes since then, and both teams will be without key guys. Canadiens captain Shea Weber will not play this season, and his career may be over. Carey Price is out for the next month after entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Joe Thornton left the Leafs for sunny Florida, and Zach Hyman headed west to snowy Edmonton.

Auston Matthews, the 2021 Rocket Richard Trophy winner, is out for this one — and the next two after that — as he continues to recover from offseason wrist surgery.

Mitchell Marner was a game-time decision, but did skate in warmups. He’ll play on a line with captain John Tavares (playing his first non-preseason game since leaving Game 1 vs. the Canadiens after getting kneed in the face) and newcomer Nick Ritchie. Jack Campbell, who was in tears back in May in the locker room and when speaking to the media, will get the start.

NHL 2021-22: How to watch games | Opening games schedule

The Canadiens will feature their young stars, including Calder Trophy candidate Cole Caufield and centerman Nick Suzuki, who just got a snazzy eight-year, $63 million extension. The energetic duo will be joined by Tyler Toffoli on the wing. Jonathan Drouin will slot back in after taking time off late last season (missed the postseason, too) to deal with anxiety and insomnia. With Price out, Jake Allen will get the nod between the pipes.

Sporting News will provide live updates and highlights as the Canadiens and Maple Leafs face off (all times Eastern):

Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs live scores, highlights

Second period

8:32 p.m. — Canadiens get one shot on goal. About eight minutes in and it’s their only shot on net in the period.

8:30 p.m. — Canadiens head to the power play.

8:24 p.m. — Jake Allen makes a stop with two Leafs crashing and there’s a mini-scrum with Bunting in the middle of it. There was a quick review but no goal. 

8:15 p.m. — Second period is underway.

8:02 p.m. — Lots of love for Drouin on the timeline.

First period: Canadiens 1, Maple Leafs 1

7:56 p.m. — Last seconds of the period and Rasmus Dahlin’s point shot goes off Jake Evans and the crossbar.

7:51 p.m. — Maple Leafs starting to get more action in the Canadiens zone.

7:38 p.m. — PP GOAL. One second before the power play ends, the Canadiens collapse and, after he gets two Canadiens to screen — plus two of his own guys in front — Pierre Engvall beats Jake Allen. Game tied 1-1.

7:35 p.m. — Alexander Romanov gets called for interference and Leafs get a chance to tie it up.

7:34 p.m — GOAL. Jonathan Drouin scores off a 2-on-1. What a moment. Canadiens lead 1-0.

7:33 p.m. — Not much doing on the power play for the Leafs — which is kind of how things went at the end of 2021.

7:27 p.m. — Montreal comes out flying but Ben Chiarot takes a penalty. Maple Leafs get the first power play.

7:25 p.m. — Scramble in front and again Campbell comes up big. Josh Anderson again in the middle.

7:23 p.m. — Marner down the left wing just misses from the left circle

7:22 p.m. — David Savard gets a look.

7:20 p.m. — Less than 30 seconds in and the Canadiens get two quick chances where Jack Campbell has to come up big.

7:20 p.m. — After pregame festivities, including the fans singing the national anthem, game on.

Pregame

6:50 p.m. — Lines are here for the Leafs.

NHL 2021-22: Latest news

What channel is Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs on?

  • Date: Wed., Oct. 13
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • TV channel (Canada): SN, SN360, TVAS
  • Stream: ESPN+ (U.S.) | SN NOW (Canada)

Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with a pregame show hosted by Caroline Cameron alongside analysts Kevin Bieksa, Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Elliotte Friedman. Chris Cuthbert will have the call with Craig Simpson serving as the analyst and Kyle Bukauskas as the reporter.

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