Matthews' hat trick helps Maple Leafs open season with shootout win over Canadiens

Mitch Marner scored the only goal of the shootout as the Toronto Maple Leafs fought back from 2-0 and 5-3 deficits to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 6-5 in a wild NHL regular-season opener for both teams Wednesday.

After the Leafs and Canadiens traded chances in the 3-on-3 extra period, Marner moved in on Jake Allen and fired upstairs on Toronto's third attempt before Ilya Samsonov stopped Kirby Dach at the other end to seal it.

Auston Matthews, with the 300th, 301st and 302nd goals of his career for his eighth career hat trick, William Nylander, with a goal and an assist, and Noah Gregor scored in regulation for Toronto.

Samsonov made 19 saves in regulation and overtime.

SAMMY SHUTS THE D