The Montreal Alouettes will face the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night for their home opener following a walk-off field goal victory last week in Hamilton. For the Toronto Argonauts, it will be their first game of the season and will feature Chad Kelly’s return after missing all of last season with a broken leg he sustained against Montreal in the 2024 East Division Final.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Friday, June 12 / Percival-Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal, QC
Kickoff Time: 7:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM PT
Channel: TSN, RDS (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
Radio: TSN 690 (Montreal English), 99.5 Montreal (Montreal French), TSN 1050 Toronto
Odds (If you place bets, please do so responsibly in moderation):
Spread: Montreal -6.5 (-115), Toronto +6.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Montreal -295, Toronto +235
Over/Under: 51.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
Montreal Alouettes (1-0): The Montreal Alouettes are coming home after a 30-27 walk-off field goal victory in overtime to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Davis Alexander was efficient, completing 26 of his 38 passes for 336 yards and 2 touchdowns, which came from Tyler Snead and Tyson Philpot.
Toronto Argonauts: The Toronto Argonauts are coming off a disappointing season in 2025, finishing 5-13 and placing outside of the playoffs, despite winning the Grey Cup in the season prior. The team will have Chad Kelly back at quarterback for the first time since the 2024 East Final and will also have a new head coach in Mike Miller, as Ryan Dinwiddie is now with Ottawa.
Alouettes Keys to the Game
Don’t Give Chad Kelly Time
Chad Kelly is an elite quarterback, but he has not played in a regular season game since 2024. He completed 3 of his 7 passes for 29 yards in the preseason; the limited preseason reps could potentially lead to there still being rust to shake off.
Lockdown Coverage Deep Downfield
Montreal will want to prevent Chad Kally’s reawakening by ensuring there are not lapses in coverage downfield to be exploited.
Run the Ball
Toronto no longer has Wynton McManis at middle linebacker and should test what running the ball in his absence against Toronto will feel like. Montreal’s offense is often very pass heavy and should perhaps look to mix in more run plays for a more balanced offense.
More of the Same From Davis Alexander
336 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions is the type of stat line that will help win a lot of football games. He had the most passing yards last week and the best touchdown to interception ratio.
Alouettes to Watch
85 WR Tyler Snead
Snead had a huge day last week, catching 9 of his 13 targets for 163 yards and a touchdown.
6 WR Tyson Philpot
Philpot also had many targets as he caught 7 of his 11 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
15 WR Alexander Hollins
Alexander Hollins caught 3 of his 4 passes for 46 yards in Week 1. He had some big seasons with BC and can be dangerous if teams are not prepared for him.
35 RB Shomari Lawrence
Lawrence rushed 8 times last week for 63 yards (7.87 average) and caught 3 of his 5 targets for 7 yards.
9 LB Geoffrey Cantin-Arku
Cantin-Arku led the team in tackles with 8, starting at middle linebacker in place of Darnell Sankey, who is now with BC.
Opp to Watch
12 QB Chad Kelly
Kelly passed for 2,451 yards and 10 touchdowns over 8 games in 2024 while adding 214 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. He was the league’s MOP in 2023.
25 RB Sam Hicks
Sam Hicks will start at running back for Toronto in what will be his first CFL regular season game. He rushed 9 times for 76 yards (8.44 average) and 3 touchdowns in the preseason.
RB Isaiah Smith
Smith was drafted early in the 2nd round, 11th overall, out of Guelph this past CFL draft by the Argos.
WR Damonte Coxie
Coxie had 48 catches for 854 yards and 6 touchdowns last season in just 10 games.
DB Ethan John
Ethan John was another 2nd round pick for Toronto as he was taken 16th overall this past CFL Draft out of Windsor.
35 LB Isaac Darkangelo
Darkangelo will be heavily relied on as the starting linebacker, with Wynton McManis now being with Hamilton. Darkangelo is entering his 3rd season with Toronto. He has 95 defensive tackles, 2 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 27 special teams tackles to his name thus far.
Injury Report:
Depth Charts:
Score Prediction:
I am predicting Montreal to win 27-21. I don’t expect Chad Kelly to be in his best form in his first game since 2024, while Montreal already has a big win under their belt and home-field advantage.