Air Canada Centre will be hosting an Original Six showdown as the Montreal Canadiens travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs. It’s the fourth and last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 7, and fans at home can see the game live on CBC Sports.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Montreal (+180) is playing the role of underdog to Toronto (-220), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Earning moneyline bettors 5.5 units, the Maple Leafs are 48-33 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Atlantic Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Of the team’s 81 games this season, 42 have gone over the total, while 35 have gone under and just four have pushed. The team’s 28-12 SU at home this year.
Toronto enters the matchup with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s found the net on 24.5 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all penalties.
Toronto, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.2 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 5.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 30.7 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (39-26-5) has been the best goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this season. If they decide to give him a rest, however, the team may turn to Curtis McElhinney (11-7-7 record, .934 save percentage, 2.14 goals against average).
Mitchell Marner and Auston Matthews will both lead the way for the Maple Leafs. Marner (69 points) has produced 22 goals and 47 assists and has recorded multiple points 18 times this year. Matthews has 33 goals and 28 assists to his name and has notched a point in 40 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Montreal is 29-52 straight up (SU) and has lost 25.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 42 of its games have gone under the total, while 37 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team, Montreal is 11-29 SU.
Montreal has converted on 21.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.4 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Carey Price (.901 save percentage and 3.09 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.4 saves per game and has 16 wins, 32 losses, and seven overtime losses to his credit.
Brendan Gallagher (31 goals, 22 assists) and Alex Galchenyuk (19 goals, 32 assists) have been the top playmakers for Montreal and will lead the offensive counter for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Toronto is 7-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Montreal is 2-6 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of Toronto’s last five games.
Montreal has managed 28.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Toronto is averaging 34.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
Seven of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-5 in those games.
Montreal skaters have accounted for the second-most hits in the league (26.6 per game).
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