MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens fans already jonesing for more hockey can circle Oct. 13 on their calendar. On Thursday, the National Hockey League released the schedule for the upcoming 2021-22 season and the Habs will open their season on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It will be the latest match up in an ancient rivalry that was recently renewed, with the Canadiens coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to upset the heavily favoured Leafs in the first round of the playoffs. Their first game at home will be against the New York Rangers on Oct. 16. The Habs played every regular season game to an empty Bell Centre last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.