What happened: The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs after building an early lead. Toronto mounted a rally in the third period, but the comeback fell short.

Why it matters: The Atlantic Division matchup highlights Montreal's ability to protect early advantages against a division rival. For Toronto, the loss underscores the difficulty of chasing games after slow starts during the regular season.

What to watch: Both clubs continue regular-season play as Toronto looks to tighten its starts and Montreal aims to sustain early-game momentum.