Chen, who fell early on in his short programme routine in Las Vegas a week ago, produced a composed display to open up a 12-point advantage going into tomorrow's free skate.

The American scored 106.72 points, with compatriot Jason Brown second on 94.00.

Canada's Keegan Messing did enough for third after his routine was rewarded with 93.28 points.

"I had pretty tough skates at Skate America," said Chen. 

"I'm happy to have an opportunity right off the bat to give myself another shot and I'm much happier with how today went.

"Between Skate America and Skate Canada I came to Canada early and I was here for the past couple of days. 

"It was really nice to be able to skate here and to kind of get my feet under me right after competition."

World junior gold medallist Kamila Valieva of Russia topped the women's short programme standings on 84.19 points.

Russia are in line for a clean sweep of the women's event as Valieva leads compatriots Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Alena Kostornaia.

Tuktamysheva scored 81.24 points, while 2020 European champion Kostornaia earned 75.58.

Double world champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong are in pole position in the pairs competition having scored 78.94 points.

The Chinese duo lead the event ahead of Russia’s Daria Pavliuchenko and Denis Khodykin, and Minerva Fabienne Hase Nolan Seegert of Germany.

In the ice dance, Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier delighted the home crowd by finishing first in the short programme on 85.65 points.

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy are second and Spain’s Olivia Smart and Adrian Diaz sit third.