As summer winds down, hockey fans in Quebec can finally shift their attention back to the National Hockey League. The 2026-2027 season is shaping up to feel busier than usual, and the Montreal Canadiens arrive with fresh momentum after a spring that gave supporters plenty to remember.
The Canadiens’ Preseason Is Short, Busy, and Worth Watching
Montreal has already released its preseason calendar, and the team will play five exhibition games across just three dates. That compressed setup should give coaches and fans a fast first look at how the roster is taking shape.
The action starts on September 19 with split-squad matchups against the Toronto Maple Leafs, one in Montreal and the other in Toronto at the same time. Two days later, the Canadiens head to Trois-Rivières to meet the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron, part of a Kraft Hockeyville celebration that should draw strong local interest.
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 fans who want to attend already had time to plan ahead.
A Busier Regular Season Awaits
The NHL is also entering a slightly different rhythm this year. Each team will play 84 regular-season games, which pushes the league total to 1,344 and makes the calendar a little heavier than before.
The regular season is set to end on April 16, so clubs will need to manage a tighter and more demanding schedule from opening night through spring. For teams with playoff ambitions, depth and consistency will matter more than ever.
What September Means Before Opening Night
- Training camp decisions will start to clarify the Canadiens’ lineup.
- Preseason games will give prospects and veterans a chance to compete for roles.
- Fans in Montreal and Trois-Rivières will get early live looks at key matchups.
- The league’s longer schedule will raise the pressure on every point in the standings.
Why Quebec Fans Should Pay Attention Now
September is more than a warm-up month. It is the first real sign that a new hockey year is here, and for Canadiens followers, it offers early clues about whether last season’s energy can carry into the fall.
With the preseason condensed, a special regional stop in Trois-Rivières, and a longer NHL schedule ahead, there is plenty to watch before the first regular-season puck drops.
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