Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

The Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry is heating up again in the 2025-26 season. These Original Six teams have battled for nearly a century,, and their passionate fan bases never miss a matchup. Right now, Montreal has grabbed the momentum with some impressive wins. Let's look at what's really happening on the ice.

Montreal's hot streak and Cole Caufield's impact

The Canadiens have been playing some solid hockey lately. They crushed Toronto 5-2 on November 22, breaking a frustrating five-game losing streak against the Leafs. Just two weeks later, Montreal won again 5-2 on December 6, improving to a 15-9-3 record. Cole Caufield has been huge for the team's sucess. The star winger extended his points streak to 10 games, scoring goals when Montreal needed them most. Goaltender Jakub Dobes made 22 saves in the December 6 victory, showing rock-solid defense (seriously impressive stuff). Montreal's power play has also been deadly, scoring on multiple chances in recent games. These factors combined have given the Canadiens real confidence heading forward.

Toronto's injury trouble and what it means

The Maple Leafs are dealing with some serious goaltender problems right now. Both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are currently out with injuries, forcing Toronto to rely on Dennis Hildeby as their main starter. Missing two experienced goalies puts extra pressure on whoever plays between the pipes. Toronto sits at 14-11-3, which shows the team can still compete despite these challenges. Losing goaltender depth hurts any team's ability to win games consistently. The good news? Morgan Rielly keeps contributing on defense and has scored important goals when the Leafs needed them. Still, getting healthy in net remains Toronto's top priority.

What fans should watch for next

If you're following the Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry, keep your eyes on several things. Track Cole Caufield's scoring streak closely since he's the kind of player who can take over games. Watch Morgan Rielly too, since his defensive play and scoring ability directly impact Toronto's chances. Check injury reports regularly, especially for Toronto's goaltenders. When Woll or Stolarz return to action, the Maple Leafs could become much stronger overnight. Pay attention to special teams play, particularly Montreal's power play, which has been dangerous lately. Most importantly, stay updated on upcoming matchups between these teams. The rivalry always delivers exciting hockey, and the next few weeks could shift the balance either way.