-
Andrew Rogers
Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: NHL Odds, Prediction
Bragging rights are the only thing at stake Saturday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs entertain the Montreal Canadiens in the final regular-season game for both teams. The Maple Leafs are locked into third place in the Atlantic Division and will face either the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the playoffs. The Canadiens have long been eliminated from the playoff picture and are looking to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Leafs.
Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs Betting Analysis
It won’t matter much if the Maple Leafs decide to rest some players ahead of next week’s first-round playoff opener; the way they’ve played against the Canadiens this season, they’ll have a significant edge in oddsmakers’ eyes. Toronto has outscored Montreal 14-3 over their first three meetings this season, including back-to-back shutouts. But the Canadiens have had their way with the Leafs at the ACC, winning seven of their last eight meetings there.
Look for this one to feature plenty of goals, if both teams continue their recent totals trends. The Canadiens have gone above the number in five of their previous six games overall and are 13-4 O/U in their previous 17 games against divisional opponents. The Maple Leafs have exceeded the total in 14 of their last 19 games, and are 10-4 O/U in their last 14 at the ACC. But the Original Six rivals have gone over just twice in their previous nine encounters.
Montreal Canadiens
It has been a completely lost season for the Canadiens, who will go into the offseasons with plenty of questions and holes to fill. But Montreal will finish the season atop at least one list: it is the worst value play of any NHL team, heading into its final game of the campaign having returned -2,426 units on an average bet of $100. It’s more than 500 units worse than the next-closest teams, and includes a whopping -1,669 tally away from the Bell Centre.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Bettors who have put their faith in the Maple Leafs have been largely rewarded – but only at the ACC. Toronto has returned a total of 675 units heading into its season finale, but is +780 at home and -105 on the road. The Maple Leafs have been a sensational bounceback team of late, having won seven of their previous nine games after scoring two or fewer goals in their previous contest; Toronto is coming off a 2-1 loss to New Jersey on the NHL scores board.
