The wait is over. Here is what you need to know as the Montreal Canadiens open the 2023-24 season against their rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Game Preview

Roster News

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Last Game

The Canadiens faced another weak preseason lineup, this time in Ottawa. After a rollercoaster game, the Habs ended the exhibition schedule with a win.

Last game: MTL 6 OTT 4 (preseason)

For a complete game recap: Canadiens End the Preseason With a Win | RECAP: MTL @ OTT

Players to Watch

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Matchup for Game 1 (regular season opener)

Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | October 11, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, TVAS

Pre-Game

Johnathan Kovacevic

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Jake Allen

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Marty St. Louis

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Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)

Forwards
22 Cole Caufield  14 Nick Suzuki   17 Josh Anderson
15 Alex Newhook  77 Kirby Dach  20 Juraj Slafkovsky
70 Tanner Pearson  91 Sean Monahan  11 Brendan Gallagher
49 Rafael Harvey-Pinard  71 Jake Evans  56 Jesse Ylonen

Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson  58 David Savard
59 Kaiden Guhle  52 Johnathan Kovacevic   
72 Arber Xhekaj  54 Jordan Harris

Goaltenders
Starter: 34 Jake Allen
Alternate: 35 Sam Montembeault

Out of the lineup
Scratches: Michael Pezzetta, Justin Barron, Cayden Primeau
Injuries: Christian Dvorak (lower body), Carey Price (lower body), Chris Wideman (upper body)

Visiting Bench

The Maple Leafs have assembled a roster that should be capable of securing an Atlantic division title and competing for the Stanley Cup. Toronto will have a few new faces in the lineup with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi take up spots in the top six. Ilya Samsonov is expected to get the start in goal.

Game Expectations

The key p-word for the Canadiens this season is patience. Can management, fans and the media be patient with another season of developmental growth that results in a bottom-5 finish in the standings?

Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.