It’s time to renew the rivalry as we have an Original Six all-Canadian clash on our hands tonight with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena.
NHL odds favor the Leafs on the moneyline, but it’s the puck line play that takes the cake in my Maple Leafs vs. Canadians predictions.
Find out why in my free NHL picks for this November 9 matchup.
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens prediction
My Leafs pick
Maple Leafs -1.5 (+115 at Sports Interaction)
My Leafs analysis
The Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens on Saturday nights. It doesn't get much better than that.
The Canadiens beat Toronto on opening night thanks to a 47-save shutout performance from Samuel Montembault. I’m not so sure he’ll be able to replicate that dominance once again, as he’s 2-6-1 since with a 3.92 GAA and a lowly .866 SV%.
The Habs rank 31st in the league right now after a complete nosedive after a decent start to the season. They’ve lost five straight games entering tonight, being outscored 25-11 with a 1-4 record against the spread.
A big reason for the nosedive and Montembault’s struggles has been poor defensive play in front of him.
Montreal has been the worst team defensively in the NHL, allowing a league-high 3.94 expected goals per game with a near-matching 4.05 actual goals against average. It also ranks 31st in scoring chances allowed and high-danger chances against, according to Natural Stat Trick.
This should bode well for the Maple Leafs, who rank sixth and seventh in scoring chances and high-danger chances, respectively.
This is a different Leafs team than the Habs played opening night. They’re beginning to find themselves under Coach Craig Berube and should give Montreal a tough task — coming off an impressive 4-0 win over Boston and then a tidy 3-1 victory over the Red Wings.
Toronto covered the puck line with both wins, too, improving their record to 8-5-2. However, it’s the ATS record when the Leafs win that is more impressive, sitting at a perfect 8-0 mark.
So, I believe the better value play when picking a side tonight is to roll with the Maple Leafs on the puckline at +115 as opposed to the moneyline at a piddly -225.
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens same-game parlay (SGP)
Maple Leafs -1.5
William Nylander anytime goalscorer
Maple Leafs to score first
William Nylander is the Leafs' top scorer, and now there’s even more pressure to score with Auston Matthews out again tonight. He leads the team with 10 goals in 15 games and has 16 snipes against Montreal in his career.
The Leafs are 7-1 when they score first this year, so it’s a bet that pairs very well with the puck line. Additionally, the Habs have allowed the first goal in five straight games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Maple Leafs vs Canadiens odds
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens live odds
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens opening odds
- Puck line: Toronto -1.5 (+110) | Montreal +1.5 (-135)
- Moneyline: Toronto -250 | Montreal +200
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens trend
The Under is 7-3 between these two clubs over their last 10 matchups. Find more NHL betting trends for Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Maple Leafs vs Canadiens
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Saturday, 11-9-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | CBC |
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens latest injuries
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