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\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nTaylor Hall scored twice as the Carolina Hurricanes smothered the Canadiens to win 6-4 in Montreal\u2019s home opener Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Andrei Svechnikov added an empty-net goal and Brandon Bussi stopped 16 shots in the rematch of last season\u2019s Eastern Conference final.<\/p>\n
Zachary Bolduc scored twice, Nick Suzuki registered a goal and an assist, and Juraj Slafkovsky also scored for Montreal (1-1-1).<\/p>\n
Alexandre Texier and Chris Krieder had two assists apiece, while Jakub Dobes made 28 saves.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s shot after Canadiens forward Slafkovsky turned the puck over in front of his own net.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s left shoulder, but Robinson tied it at 9:22 when Jalen Chatfield\u2019s point shot deflected off him and past Dobes.<\/p>\n
Bolduc gave the Canadiens a 3-2 lead at 12:54, scoring his second of the night on the power play.<\/p>\n
The lead held until Aho, also with the man advantage, slid a shot through Dobes\u2019 pads 3:56 into the second. Jankowski capitalized on Noah Dobson\u2019s giveaway to give Carolina the lead at 13:24, then Hall made it 5-3 at 12:21 in the third.<\/p>\n
Slafkovsky jumped on a rebound to pull one back with 3:04 remaining in regulation before Svechnikov\u2019s empty-netter.<\/p>\n
Montreal fans stay loyal despite home-opener loss<\/p>\n
Despite the loss, many fans leaving the Bell Centre remained optimistic about the Canadiens\u2019 season.<\/p>\n
One fan said the loss would not change her support for the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cNext game, we\u2019re going to win. So even if we lost tonight, I\u2019m there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Another fan said he thought the Canadiens played well overall and still have plenty of time to improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey played well overall. It was a good game. I mean, some adjustment to be done, but I mean, it\u2019s only the beginning. It\u2019s a long road ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
For another fan, the loss was simply part of the ups and downs of a long season.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, you win some, you lose some. We gotta get them next time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
One fan compared Tuesday\u2019s game to the Canadiens\u2019 playoff loss to Carolina last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another fan thought Montreal performed well but acknowledged the challenge of facing Carolina.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they played very well, but maybe they\u2019re a bit scared. And because it was another team that won last year, but I think they did really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some fans pointed to special teams as an area where Montreal could improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cA little bit disappointed. I think it started out really great in the beginning\u2026 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\u2019m really excited to see where this thing goes and see what happens. And I\u2019m really happy to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another fan focused on the atmosphere of the home opener and the challenge of facing the defending Stanley Cup champions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat an amazing home opener. The Canadians were almost there. Carolina\u2019s a Stanley Cup champions, but it\u2019s okay. Next game we\u2019ll do it much better.\u201d<\/p>\n
One fan said the Hurricanes\u2019 aggression and shot advantage made the difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another fan said Montreal\u2019s effort was there, but the team did not get the breaks it needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did really good. We just didn\u2019t have any puck luck. It was a great game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Younger fans also remained supportive despite the result.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey played good. I just wish they would have won,\u201d said one young Canadiens fan.<\/p>\n
Another young fan said Montreal\u2019s offence was not quite enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey played a good game, but their offense wasn\u2019t too good.\u201d<\/p>\n
A young girl echoed that sentiment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish they won, but they played good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another young fan praised the team\u2019s effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey even didn\u2019t get a lot of scores, but they still did a good job.\u201d<\/p>\n
With most of the season still ahead, another fan said Montreal has plenty of time to fix its mistakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill lots of hockey left. Puck possession wasn\u2019t great. A lot of turnovers. But I think the offense is there just to tighten up defense and 79 games to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
For one fan, returning to the Bell Centre was reason enough to celebrate despite the loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
She summed up the loyalty felt around the Bell Centre on opening night.<\/p>\n
\u201cWin, lose or tie. Habs fan until we die, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
TAKEAWAYS<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hurricanes: Smothered the Canadiens in a carbon copy of last season\u2019s conference final. Carolina averaged 33.4 shots while holding Montreal to 17.8 per game in the third round.<\/p>\n
KEY MOMENT<\/p>\n
While defending Carolina\u2019s relentless forecheck, Dobson swung a pass in front from the corner that deflected onto Jankowski\u2019s stick for an easy go-ahead goal.<\/p>\n
KEY STAT<\/p>\n
Aho continued his success against the Canadiens, registering his 14th goal and 33rd point in 26 career games against the Original Six franchise.<\/p>\n
UP NEXT<\/p>\n
Hurricanes: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Canadiens: Host the Nashville Predators on Thursday.<\/p>\n
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 6, 2026.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tCarolina 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 <\/p>\n
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