<P> The first game of the season , and in league history , featured the visiting Montreal Canadiens defeat the Ottawa Senators 7 - 4 , with Joe Malone scoring five of Montreal 's seven goals . On the same night a game featured the unnamed Toronto team versus the Wanderers . Montreal 's Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history and Harry Hyland had four goals ( the league 's first hat trick ) in the Wanderers ' 10 -- 9 victory , which would be their only one in the NHL ; Player - coach Art Ross earned the league 's first penalty . The game in Montreal was played in front of only 700 fans . </P>
where was the first nhl hockey game played
Ottawa