Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Game 2 Prediction, Playoff Odds
Game 1 between these Original Six rivals was as close as everyone expected it to be, as Paul Byron’s shorthanded goal from his knees was the winner in Montreal’s 2-1 win over Toronto. The Leafs never seemed to be able to get the momentum to swing their way after an accidental first period collision saw Toronto captain John Tavares stretchered off the ice, although he will fully recover.
Toronto is a -171 favourite on the NHL odds to win Game 2, with the total set at 5.5.
Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Odds
Thursday’s Game 1 loss was the first home loss for the Leafs since April 15. Toronto had one of the better home records in the league during the regular season, going 18-8-3 at Scotiabank Arena, while Montreal was only two games above .500 on the road. The Canadiens dropped four of five regular season games in Toronto this year.
Sports Interaction bettors don’t seem put off by the Leafs’ Game 1 stumble, as 82 per cent of early action is siding with the Buds. The Over/Under is a little more split, with 64 per cent of bettors taking the O5.5 at +100. The Habs have hit the Over in four of their last five games, but it’s worth noting the total has gone Under in four of the last five games between these teams.
Montreal Canadiens
There didn’t look like much rest for Carey Price on Thursday, as he made 35 saves in his first start since April 19. The veteran goalie has had an up-and-down season and missed the final 13 regular season games with a concussion, but he looked solid in the Game 1 win. This was actually the ninth straight postseason win for Montreal over Toronto, although they haven’t actually met in the playoffs since 1979.
Josh Anderson’s first period goal put the Habs up early, before Byron was tripped on a shorthanded breakaway in the third period and scored the winner on his knees. The only real injury issue for Montreal in the game was Jake Evans. The forward left the in the second period with an undisclosed injury, but there is no timetable for his return. Younger forwards Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Cole Caufield were healthy scratches for Game 1, so we could see one of them in the lineup for Game 2. Kotkaniemi had 20 points (5G, 15A) in 56 regular season games, while Caufield had five points (4G, 1A) in 10 games.
Teams that win Game 1 are 490-222 (68.8 per cent) in an NHL best-of-seven series. Game 1 winners in last year’s playoff went 7-1 in the series.
Toronto Maple Leafs
It was a sight no hockey fan, regardless of affiliation, wanted to see when Tavares went down on Thursday. Tavares was hit in the face with Canadiens’ forward Corey Perry’s knee, after an awkward hit put him in Perry’s path. The Leafs captain appeared to lose consciousness on the ice, but he was released from hospital on Friday morning and is expected to fully recover. He suffered a concussion on the play and there’s no timetable for his return.
William Nylander’s second period tally was the most offence Toronto could muster in the game. Failing to capitalize on the man advantage hurt the Leafs, as they finished 0-for-4 on the power play, though they did kill off all five of their penalties. Jack Campbell made 28 saves in the loss, his first career NHL playoff start.
On the positive side for Toronto, it looks like Zach Hyman is back to full health. After missing the last 11 regular season games with a sprained MCL, Hyman logged 24:37 of ice time on Thursday. He was minus-1 with four shots on goal.
MON
TOR