Toronto Maple Leafs – Ottawa Senators

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NHL regular-season game on ice, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, on October 3, 2026 at 19 h, with Toronto hosting Ottawa. NHL hockey is played with five skaters and one goaltender per team, over three 20-minute periods; overtime followed by a shootout separates the teams if necessary.

Toronto was expected to have played two preseason games compared with one for Ottawa, but the groups used and the quality of the opponents do not allow for establishing comparable competitive form.

Head-to-head

The teams were scheduled to meet in the preseason on September 23 and 26, 2026, in games with split rosters, with different groups sent to each city. No score is provided.

These games therefore provide little information about the regular-season matchup, because the lineups expected to play on October 3 have not been established.

Context & news

Toronto can impose more territory through home ice and local support, with Matthews potentially close to his best level and two preseason games already played; in return, the new setup - new general manager, new coach, and several personnel changes - has not yet proven its effectiveness, particularly on special teams. Ottawa can rely on a largely retained core, combinations worked on in camp, and structural continuity; however, Greig is suspended, several players are uncertain or likely to be absent, and the road trip opens a sequence at Boston on October 5 then at Detroit on October 6.

The scenario favorable to Toronto rests on territorial pressure and home-ice advantage; the scenario favorable to Ottawa rests on its collective continuity and its ability to capitalize on the opposing new roster's hesitations. The actual effects of fatigue, travel, and goalie rotation remain unknown.

Roster and lineup

Toronto: Auston Matthews was announced as almost 100% before camp on September 14, with no confirmation of his presence or exact status for the game. Max Domi remained out for an indefinite period.

The final lineup and starting goaltender are not confirmed. Ottawa: Ridly Greig was expected to miss the first two games due to suspension.

Jake Sanderson was questionable after not practicing normally on September 30; Warren Foegele was on the injured list but could participate; Andre Burakovsky was unlikely to play in Toronto; Artem Zub was not expected to be ready at the start of the season. The goaltender, lineups, and defensive pairings are not confirmed.