The Montreal Canadiens will kick off their 2026-27 preseason with an unusual twist—two separate teams facing the Toronto Maple Leafs in back-to-back split-squad games on the same day. The unusual format sees the Canadiens divided into two groups for the matchups, offering a rare glimpse into how the roster might be structured early in camp. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the split impacts player development and team chemistry ahead of the regular season. The preseason opener adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated hockey matchup.

MONTREAL/TORONTO – The Canadiens open their 2026-27 preseason schedule with not one, but two simultaneous split-squad games against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Two groups from Habs training ...