Taylor Hall scored twice as the Carolina Hurricanes smothered the Canadiens to win 6-4 in Montreal’s home opener Tuesday night.
Sebastian Aho added a goal and two assists, while Eric Robinson and Mark Jankowski had a goal and a helper each as Carolina (2-1-1) won its second straight game.
Andrei Svechnikov added an empty-net goal and Brandon Bussi stopped 16 shots in the rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference final.
Zachary Bolduc scored twice, Nick Suzuki registered a goal and an assist, and Juraj Slafkovsky also scored for Montreal (1-1-1).
Alexandre Texier and Chris Krieder had two assists apiece, while Jakub Dobes made 28 saves.
The rising Canadiens returned to a raucous Bell Centre for their first regular-season home game since falling to the Hurricanes in the third round. Carolina eliminated Montreal in five games before going on to win the Stanley Cup over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The evening got off to a wild start, with five goals in the opening 13 minutes. Hall opened the scoring 2:25 into the first period, deflecting Jackson Blake’s shot after Canadiens forward Slafkovsky turned the puck over in front of his own net.
Bolduc evened the score at 3:23, corralling a rebound and shovelling a backhand into the top corner. Suzuki put Montreal in front 64 seconds later with a snap shot over Bussi’s left shoulder, but Robinson tied it at 9:22 when Jalen Chatfield’s point shot deflected off him and past Dobes.
Bolduc gave the Canadiens a 3-2 lead at 12:54, scoring his second of the night on the power play.
The lead held until Aho, also with the man advantage, slid a shot through Dobes’ pads 3:56 into the second. Jankowski capitalized on Noah Dobson’s giveaway to give Carolina the lead at 13:24, then Hall made it 5-3 at 12:21 in the third.
Slafkovsky jumped on a rebound to pull one back with 3:04 remaining in regulation before Svechnikov’s empty-netter.
Montreal fans stay loyal despite home-opener loss
Despite the loss, many fans leaving the Bell Centre remained optimistic about the Canadiens’ season.
One fan said the loss would not change her support for the team.
“Next game, we’re going to win. So even if we lost tonight, I’m there,” she said.
Another fan said he thought the Canadiens played well overall and still have plenty of time to improve.
“They played well overall. It was a good game. I mean, some adjustment to be done, but I mean, it’s only the beginning. It’s a long road ahead.”
For another fan, the loss was simply part of the ups and downs of a long season.
“Listen, you win some, you lose some. We gotta get them next time,” he said.
One fan compared Tuesday’s game to the Canadiens’ playoff loss to Carolina last season.
“It was an average game. Okay, the Habs tried, but it was tough for them. A repeat of the playoffs last year. So better luck next time.”
Another fan thought Montreal performed well but acknowledged the challenge of facing Carolina.
“I think they played very well, but maybe they’re a bit scared. And because it was another team that won last year, but I think they did really well.”
Some fans pointed to special teams as an area where Montreal could improve.
“A little bit disappointed. I think it started out really great in the beginning… I think they really have to do better on the power plays. I think that was something that was a big problem for us, but I’m really excited to see where this thing goes and see what happens. And I’m really happy to be here.”
Another fan focused on the atmosphere of the home opener and the challenge of facing the defending Stanley Cup champions.
“What an amazing home opener. The Canadians were almost there. Carolina’s a Stanley Cup champions, but it’s okay. Next game we’ll do it much better.”
One fan said the Hurricanes’ aggression and shot advantage made the difference.
“The home opener was like really a nice game, really nice. We would have really liked them to be like in, you know, 6-4 for us, but they were very aggressive. And they got a lot more shots on goal than we did.”
Another fan said Montreal’s effort was there, but the team did not get the breaks it needed.
“They did really good. We just didn’t have any puck luck. It was a great game.”
Younger fans also remained supportive despite the result.
“They played good. I just wish they would have won,” said one young Canadiens fan.
Another young fan said Montreal’s offence was not quite enough.
“They played a good game, but their offense wasn’t too good.”
A young girl echoed that sentiment.
“I wish they won, but they played good.”
Another young fan praised the team’s effort.
“They even didn’t get a lot of scores, but they still did a good job.”
With most of the season still ahead, another fan said Montreal has plenty of time to fix its mistakes.
“Still lots of hockey left. Puck possession wasn’t great. A lot of turnovers. But I think the offense is there just to tighten up defense and 79 games to go.”
For one fan, returning to the Bell Centre was reason enough to celebrate despite the loss.
“It’s been good to be back at the Bell Center after all the summer there. Of course, it started really good. It was a really good first period, but then of course it was a little harder at the end. But still it was a beautiful night.”
She summed up the loyalty felt around the Bell Centre on opening night.
“Win, lose or tie. Habs fan until we die, right?”
TAKEAWAYS
Canadiens: Skilled winger Ivan Demidov missed the game after the Canadiens announced he would be sidelined two to four weeks with a lower-body injury. Kirby Dach replaced Demidov on the second line alongside Alex Newhook and Slafkovsky, while Florian Xhekaj entered the lineup.
Hurricanes: Smothered the Canadiens in a carbon copy of last season’s conference final. Carolina averaged 33.4 shots while holding Montreal to 17.8 per game in the third round.
KEY MOMENT
While defending Carolina’s relentless forecheck, Dobson swung a pass in front from the corner that deflected onto Jankowski’s stick for an easy go-ahead goal.
KEY STAT
Aho continued his success against the Canadiens, registering his 14th goal and 33rd point in 26 career games against the Original Six franchise.
UP NEXT
Hurricanes: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
Canadiens: Host the Nashville Predators on Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 6, 2026.
Carolina Hurricanes’ Taylor Hall (71) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) during first period NHL action in Montreal on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
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