A packed preseason arrives for Montreal fans
As summer winds down, Quebec hockey followers can finally turn their attention back to the NHL. The 2026–2027 campaign should feel especially significant, with a heavier game load, a Canadiens team fresh off a memorable spring, and an opening night that is likely to draw strong attention across the province.
Montreal has already revealed its preseason slate, and the setup is unusual this year: five exhibition matchups are squeezed into just three dates. The action begins on September 19 with split-squad meetings against the Toronto Maple Leafs, played at the same time in Montreal and Toronto.
Two days later, on September 21, the Canadiens head to Trois-Rivières to meet the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron. That game is tied to a Kraft Hockeyville celebration, giving local supporters a rare chance to see NHL talent close to home.
The preseason wraps up on September 26 with another split-squad set, this time against Ottawa. Home-game tickets have been available since August 5, so fans have had plenty of time to make their plans.
The regular season gets a little longer
The league itself is also changing pace this season. Every club will play 84 regular-season games instead of the previous total, which adds two more dates per team and brings the league-wide schedule to 1,344 games.
That expanded format means the calendar will stay crowded deeper into the spring. The regular season is set to finish on April 16, so teams will need to manage a denser schedule from opening night all the way to the playoff push.
Why September matters before opening night
This month matters because it sets the tone for everything that follows. Coaches begin sorting out line combinations, younger players try to force their way onto the roster, and veterans get their first real game rhythm after the offseason.
For Canadiens fans, it also means the first real look at how the team will carry its momentum into a longer, more demanding year. September may not count in the standings, but it often tells the clearest story about what kind of season is coming next.