The Toronto Maple Leafs will open their 2025-26 campaign in style: October 8 at Scotiabank Arena against the Montréal Canadiens. Few rivalries in sports carry this kind of weight, and the home opener sets the tone for a season where Toronto isn’t judged on points or flash — it’s about spring survival.
The Leafs have been perennial regular-season contenders, but the pressure around this team is as heavy as ever. The schedule isn’t forgiving, and how Toronto navigates its toughest stretches could determine whether they enter the postseason as contenders or with the same old questions.
Schedule quirks and key stretches
Three five-game homestands – Oct. 13–21, Dec. 6–16, and Jan. 19–27 give the Leafs long stretches at home to bank points. These are must-win runs if Toronto wants to cushion the grind of winter road trips.
Two six-game road swings – Nov. 22–Dec. 4 and Jan. 29–Feb. 26 stand out as potential turning points. Trips through the Central and Pacific divisions will push Toronto’s depth and goaltending to the limit.
Back-to-back nights – Fifteen times this season, including several against divisional rivals. That will test how Toronto manages its goaltending rotation.
Busiest month – January, with 16 games, including tough clashes against Winnipeg, Boston, and Tampa Bay.
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Rivalries and spotlight games
Oct. 8 vs Canadiens – Opening night rivalry clash at Scotiabank. A chance to set the tone early.
Nov. 2 vs Bruins – Boston remains Toronto’s ultimate measuring stick. Fans won’t need reminding why.
Dec. 29 at Winnipeg Jets – A visit to last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners, a heavyweight tilt.
Jan. 17 vs Jets (home) – National spotlight game back in Toronto with playoff vibes in the middle of the season.
Feb. 14 vs Senators – Valentine’s Day rivalry date in Ottawa. Playoff implications will be attached.
Apr. 15 at Senators – Regular-season finale on the road, possibly with seeding on the line.
What’s at stake
The Leafs have no shortage of stars, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares still headline an offense that can outscore almost anyone. But the real test is consistency across an unforgiving calendar. Can Toronto dominate in its cushy home stretches and then survive the punishing road swings?
After another spring collapse last year, Leafs Nation won’t judge this team by regular-season wins alone. Still, with 15 back-to-backs, multiple rivalry showdowns, and the league’s busiest January, the grind begins long before the playoffs.
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