Leafs-Canadiens rivalry to resume on opening night

The two Canadian Original Six teams will square off to open the 2018-19 NHL season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will play host to the Montreal Canadiens in their home opener at the newly named Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 3.

All NHL clubs are free to announce details for their home openers on Wednesday.

Two other Canadian teams also will lock horns on Oct. 3 as the Vancouver Canucks play host to the Calgary Flames.

The same two squads meet in Calgary’s home opener on Oct. 6.

The Ottawa Senators play their first home game on Oct. 4 against the Chicago Blackhawks, while the Winnipeg Jets begin their home schedule on Oct. 9 versus the Los Angeles Kings.

The Canadiens don’t play at home until Oct. 11 versus the Kings.

Opening night on Oct. 3 also will feature a Stanley Cup banner raising ceremony as the champion Washington Capitals entertain the Boston Bruins.

“It’s gonna be emotional,” captain and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin said. “I’m just happy for this organization. I’m just happy I’m the guy who lift the Cup first and I’m the guy who been in this 13 years, since Day One. Lots of people been here, lots of coaches, lots of players. ... I’m happy those guys with me, and we share it together.”

Washington did not face the Bruins during its Cup run but has beaten them 12 consecutive times.

The Capitals were there for the Penguins’ banner-raising ceremony in 2016 after losing to Pittsburgh in the second round.

The Western Conferencechampion Knights open their second season on Oct. 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The NHL is expected to release the entire 2018-19 schedule on Thursday.