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A Winning Habit
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The Canadiens got their first goal of the season in the most unexpected way

ByBrandon Croce
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Montréal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Eastern Conferene Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Montréal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Eastern Conferene Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For the second straight season, the Montreal Canadiens saw the Toronto Maple Leafs jump out to an early lead as they scored 48 seconds into the game after scoring exactly one minute into the first game of last season. Last year, though the Canadiens answered fairly quickly after with their first goal of the season about four minutes later.

However, on Tuesday night they had to wait just a little longer before they got on the scoreboard for the first time. They would still score in the first period, the fourth straight season they accomplished that, and Josh Anderson would score the first goal for the Montreal Canadiens to open the 2026-27 season.

It was a great play by Anderson as he patiently waited for the puck to drop before hitting it out of mid-air and past Sergei Bobrovsky. The puck initially popped up on an Alexandre Carrier shot, who got the assist.

Josh Anderson snaps Opening Night scoring drought with goal

Josh Anderson over the past few seasons, has not been one to get off to a fast start, as he didn't score his first goal last season until the ninth game. In 2024-25, Anderson scored in the second game of the season, but the season prior to that, it took 25 games before he scored.

Anderson is playing in his seventh season with the Montreal Canadiens and has had 14 or more goals in six of those seasons. However, over the past three seasons, his goals have declined after averaging 19 goals per season in his first three in Montreal, compared to just under 13 in the past three seasons.

This is a great start for Anderson, who is entering the season after being named alternate captain in place of Brendan Gallagher. Mike Matheson is the other alternate captain this season, while Nick Suzuki returns as captain for the fifth straight season.

It certainly is surprising to see Anderson being the first player to score a goal, especially on a team with players like Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Cole Caufield (who scored the first goal of the season in two of the prior four seasons). However, the more secondary scoring the Canadiens get will only help them as the season goes along.

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