The great Saturday-night rivalry returns tonight. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the Habs chasing a fifth straight win over the Leafs.
Montreal arrive in form at 10-3-3 with 23 points, second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference. Toronto are 8-7-2 with 18 points. Montreal won the first meeting this season 3-2 in Toronto on 29 September, and have won four straight against the Leafs overall — Toronto have not beaten Montreal since the 2025 season opener.
Montreal last played on Thursday, 5 November, beating the Utah Mammoth 5-4 in overtime, while Toronto last played on Tuesday, 3 November, losing 3-2 to Utah, and have had three days’ rest. The game will be shown on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, and on ESPN+ in the United States.
There is team news on both sides. John Tavares is expected to return for Toronto after practising in a regular sweater, and Chris Tanev’s return is a boost for the Leafs’ defence. Montreal are without Ivan Demidov, on injured reserve since 4 November with an ankle injury, as well as Mike Matheson and Sam Montembeault.
The Canadiens’ fast start has been one of the stories of the NHL season, and a win in Toronto would make it five in a row against their oldest rivals. The Leafs, rested and at home, will be desperate to stop the run.
After tonight, the two teams meet again on 26 December and 22 March, both in Montreal. But Saturday night in Toronto is the one that matters most — the rivalry, the history, and a Habs side that has had Toronto’s number.
Canadian hockey keeps delivering, from Cole Caufield’s overtime winner against the Mammoth to Connor McDavid’s 17-game point streak. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.