A packed September sets the tone
As summer fades, hockey season starts creeping back into focus, and Quebec fans have plenty to watch before the puck officially drops. The 2026–2027 NHL campaign is shaping up to feel faster and fuller than usual, with a heavier game load, a Canadiens team fresh off an unforgettable spring, and an opening stretch that should draw major attention across the province.
September matters because it gives fans the first real glimpse of what is coming next. Roster battles, early chemistry, and the first live looks at new combinations all begin now, long before the standings start to count.
Montreal’s preseason plan is compact but busy
The Canadiens have mapped out a preseason slate that spreads five games across just three dates, creating a sharp and efficient ramp-up to the regular season. That structure means very little downtime between key tests, which should make every outing feel meaningful.
The schedule opens on September 19 with split-squad matchups against the Toronto Maple Leafs, staged at the same time in Montreal and Toronto. Two days later, Montreal heads to Trois-Rivières to meet the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron for a Kraft Hockeyville event, giving fans in the region a rare chance to see the team up close.
The preseason wraps up on September 26 with another set of split-squad games, this time against Ottawa. Home-game tickets have been available since August 5, so supporters have had plenty of time to plan ahead.
Why the new NHL calendar matters
This season also brings a longer regular-season format. Every club will play 84 games instead of the previous total, pushing the league-wide schedule to 1,344 games and extending the grind through April 16.
That extra pair of games may seem small on paper, but over the course of a season it adds more pressure, more travel, and more chances for teams to separate themselves. For the Canadiens, the early weeks will be especially important because a stronger start can pay off later in a crowded race.
What fans should keep an eye on next
The first days of September are less about results and more about signals. Coaches will begin sorting out line combinations, prospects will try to force their way into the conversation, and veterans will aim to set the tone before the real games begin.
For Montreal supporters, that makes this month feel like a preview of the months ahead. The preseason may be brief, but it will still reveal plenty about the team’s direction, its depth, and how ready it is for the demands of a longer NHL season.