The NHL is almost ready to return, and September brings the first real signs that a new season is close. In Quebec, the attention is already turning to the Montreal Canadiens, a packed schedule, and an opening stretch that should draw plenty of interest across the province.
Three preseason dates worth circling
The Canadiens have confirmed a preseason slate built around five games spread across only three dates, which gives the team a compact but busy tune-up period.
The action starts on September 19 with split-squad matchups against the Toronto Maple Leafs, played at the same time in Montreal and Toronto. Two days later, on September 21, Montreal heads to Trois-Rivières to meet the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron as part of a Kraft Hockeyville celebration, giving local supporters a rare chance to watch the team live.
The exhibition schedule wraps up on September 26 with another split-squad set against Ottawa. Home-game tickets have been available since August 5, so fans have had plenty of time to lock in their plans.
Why this season feels busier than usual
The league is also changing pace for 2026–2027. Each club will play 84 regular-season games, which adds two more contests per team and pushes the league total to 1,344 games.
The regular season is scheduled to finish on April 16, so the calendar will feel a little tighter from start to finish. That extra volume should make every early point matter even more, especially for teams trying to build momentum before winter arrives.
What fans should watch next
- Track roster decisions as camp opens and coaches begin narrowing down the lineup.
- Watch the split-squad games, since they often reveal which prospects and depth players are getting serious looks.
- Pay attention to the Trois-Rivières stop, which stands out as one of the month’s most fan-friendly events.
September is always the bridge between summer and hockey season, but this year it comes with a few extra reasons to pay attention. For Canadiens followers, the countdown has officially begun.
