Maple Leafs 2, Canadiens 1
Phil Kessel set up a pair of power-play goals as visiting Toronto opened its campaign with a victory over Montreal for the third time in four seasons.
Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak scored while rookie goaltender Ben Scrivens made 21 saves for the Maple Leafs, who went 2-for-5 with the man advantage.
Captain Brian Gionta scored a power-play goal and Carey Price stopped 24 shots for Montreal, which was unable to muster much offense in Michel Therrien's return behind the Canadiens' bench.
Kadri was a thorn in the Canadiens’ side all game, with four hits and a number of dangerous scoring chances to go with his goal at 4:51 of the first period. Bozak put in a rebound 8:12 into the second session to give Toronto a two-goal lead.
Gionta pulled the Canadiens within one with 6:09 remaining in the third.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Toronto D Mike Kostka earned an assist in his first NHL game. He had 34 points in as many games with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies this season. … LW Colby Armstrong made his Montreal debut against the Maple Leafs, who bought him out of his contract at the end of last season. Armstrong had one shot on goal. … The Canadiens and D P.K. Subban remain far apart in contract negotiations.