Sports Interaction
Promotions
Sports Interaction
Promotions

Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs: NHL Betting Odds, Prediction

  • Andrew Rogers's Author profile. Andrew Rogers

Add Sports Interacton as Your Preferred News Source

But as the bitter rivals hit the ice in Wednesday’s regular-season curtain raiser, there’s little doubt as to which of the two teams is expected to fare better – both in this game, and the season in general. This is the first time one team has been a -270 favourite or better over the other since 1999.

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

You can’t blame oddsmakers for making Toronto an overwhelming favourite on opening night, with the Maple Leafs considered +675 favourites to capture the Stanley Cup and the Canadiens a +311 longshot to even make the playoffs. Also worth noting, Toronto has won four consecutive games in the series after losing the previous 14, and have outscored the Canadiens 18-5 over the course of their current winning streak.

The total for this one is a solid 6 – and bettors should expect similar numbers around the league given that early-season scoring has been higher than expected the past few years. The teams put together two pushes and an under in their final three meetings of the 2017-18 regular season – and with limited totals available in the NHL, bettors might want to consider shifting either up or down a half-goal depending on how they think this one will go.

Montreal Canadiens

There isn’t much reason for optimism in Quebec these days, after the Canadiens parted ways with Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk while receiving little in return that will contribute to the team’s success this season. And while Carey Price is still a solid netminder, last year’s showing (16-26-7, 3.11 GAA, .900 SV%) is significant cause for concern. The Canadiens’ point total is set at a rather optimistic 80.5, with the over worth +120 and the under listed at -167.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Ah, to be a Maple Leafs fan in these exciting times. Expectations are sky-high – both in the Ontario capital and among oddsmakers, who have Toronto ahead of the pack in its quest to end its 52-year Stanley Cup drought. The addition of John Tavares should not only solidify the team’s already-stout offence, but should make a solid power play even better. The Leafs had the league’s second-best PP unit last year, converting at a 24.9-percent clip.

Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs Prediction

Maple Leafs 5, Canadiens 2