5 most compelling rivalry games of the NHL home openers

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Pittsburgh Penguins center Riley Sheahan (15) handles the puck while Washington Capitals Defenseman John Carlson (74) defends during the overtime period. The Washington Capitals went on win 2-1 in the overtime period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Capitals won the series 4-2 and advance to the Eastern Conference Final. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 7: Logan Shaw #49 of the Montreal Canadiens battles for the puck against Tyler Bozak #42 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at the Air Canada Centre on April 7, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

4. Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs – Oct. 3, 2018

The first game in the newly christened Scotiabank Arena will be a rivalry that’s as old as time: Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens. And after the former traded for Tomas Plekanec at the deadline, it has the potential to be even spicier this year.

The Canadiens have fallen on hard times recently and, as a result, this rivalry isn’t as good as it used to be. Just last season, the Leafs swept the season series against them, which included a 4-0 and 6-0 shutout. And after the Habs swapped a 19-goal scorer for a 9-goal scorer, the feeling amongst many fans is that they’ll be even worse next year.

But, for at least the first game, the Habs have a chance to prove everyone wrong by stealing a game on the road. They’ll be spending a lot of time away from home to start the season, as they don’t play at the Bell Centre until Oct. 11. There will be plenty of time for Marc Bergevin to make more moves to improve the team, as they’re expected to target a center in free agency and the Draft. And if there’s any time for Max Domi to score his first goal in a Habs uniform, it’s their first game in Toronto.

As for the Leafs, the Kyle Dubas era couldn’t have gotten started against a better opponent — save for, maybe, the Islanders. Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews will be in contract years, a few Calder Cup-winning Marlies could be making their senior debut and a rabid fanbase will be hungry for more after an excellent regular season ended abruptly in the playoffs.

For everyone’s sake, let’s hope this matchup is more competitive than it was last year.

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