It's been a rollercoaster of a series for Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who went from being a healthy scratch in Game 1, to scoring the overtime winner on Saturday and helping Montreal force a Game 7 in this series.
It could only ever have ended in Game 7, right? It’s fitting that two Original Six teams with so much history are set to go the distance after the Montreal Canadiens picked up their second straight overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. The series will now move back to Toronto for a final game on Monday night, with the winner facing the Winnipeg Jets in the second round and the loser going home.
Toronto is a -198 favourite to win on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5.
Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Odds
The Leafs haven’t won a playoff series in over 15 years and this stat won’t make Toronto fans any more confident. Since 2018, the Leafs have lost six straight playoff elimination games in which a win would have advanced them to the next round. That lack of finish has completely shot bettors’ confidence in Toronto. For the first time in this series, early bettors are siding with Montreal, albeit at a razor-thin 51 per cent majority. Bettors are also split evenly down the middle on the Over/Under. Four of six games in this series have gone Under.
Before Saturday’s loss, the NHL Futures board listed Toronto behind only the Colorado Avalanche as the favourite to win the Stanley Cup. The Leafs are now the sixth-favourite to win the Stanley Cup at +625. They’ve won nine of their last 13 home games against Montreal, although they’ve dropped two of three home games in this series.
Oddsmakers still aren’t completely sold on the Canadiens, as their +2200 odds to win the Stanley Cup are last among all the teams left in the playoffs. Game 7 could at least be a high scoring affair. Montreal has hit the Over in seven of their last 10 road games, including two of three in this series.
Montreal Canadiens
It’s been a rollercoaster of a series for Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who went from being a healthy scratch in Game 1, to scoring the overtime winner in Game 6’s 3-2 win. It was Kotkaniemi’s third goal of the playoffs. Montreal, however, has been playing with fire over the last couple games. The Habs are the first team in NHL history to surrender back-to-back multi-goal third period leads when facing elimination and win both games. It’s a record that shows just how up and down this series has been.
The Canadiens also broke through their power play woes. On the man advantage in the first period, Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli each notched their first goals of the series, breaking an 0-for-15 stretch through the previous five games. Carey Price, however, was the biggest factor on Saturday, stopping 41 shots, including 13 in overtime. Jake Evans made his return to the lineup in Game 6 after missing the previous four games with an undisclosed injury. Evans recorded one shot and five hits in just over 23 minutes of action.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The small seed of doubt that began creeping down the spines of Leafs fans after Game 5’s loss has likely turned into full fledged panic after Saturday’s loss. Outside of William Nylander, Toronto’s big name stars haven’t been good enough. Auston Matthews, who led the NHL in goals this season, has only found the back of the net once, while linemate Mitch Marner hasn’t scored in his last 17 playoff games. Nylander leads the team with seven points (4G, 3A) in the series, while Alexander Kerfoot (1G, 5A) is the only other Leafs’ player averaging a point-per-game. Jason Spezza and TJ Brodie had the goals for Toronto in Game 6 and Jack Campbell made 28 saves.
It wasn’t for lack of trying that the Leafs couldn’t close out the game on Saturday. Toronto outshot the Habs 15-6 in the third period and 13-2 in overtime. They also had a nice addition back into the lineup for Game 6. Nick Foligno, who missed the previous three games with a lower-body injury, drew back into the lineup. Foligno had three shots, three hits and was plus-1 in 18:37 of ice time. Watch for the status of defenceman Jake Muzzin leading up to Game 7. Muzzin left Saturday’s game in the second period because of a lower-body injury and there’s been no update on his status, yet.
NHL Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 30 May 12:43pm | MON | -1.5 +121 | U +5.5 -136 |
| Closing 31 May 11:04pm | MON | -1.5 +133 | U +5.5 -136 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
| Points |
44 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
12 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
67 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
222 |
| Penalty Mins |
49 |
| Wins |
17 |
| GAA |
2.15 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
53 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.28 |
| Points |
8 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
35 |
| Penalty Mins |
12 |
| Wins |
3 |
| GAA |
1.81 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
| Points |
44 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
12 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
67 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
222 |
| Penalty Mins |
49 |
| Wins |
17 |
| GAA |
2.15 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
53 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.28 |
| Points |
8 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
35 |
| Penalty Mins |
12 |
| Wins |
3 |
| GAA |
1.81 |
Injuries
Jake Evans (C)
Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Joel Armia (RW)
Jeff Petry (D)
Jake Evans (C)
Tomas Tatar (LW)
Jon Merrill (D)
Artturi Lehkonen (LW)
Eric Staal (C)
Jake Evans (C)
Jake Muzzin (D)
Nick Foligno (LW)
John Tavares (C)
Ben Hutton (D)
Mitchell Marner (RW)
Justin Holl (D)
Nick Foligno (LW)
Justin Holl (D)
Zach Bogosian (D)
Scott Sabourin (RW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Evans (C) | Ques Mon | Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21 | 1-3 | 2-1-1 | + - |
|
Evans is battling a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Lightning. |
|||||
| Brendan Gallagher (RW) | Prob Wed | Head - 30 / 06 / 21 | 1-3 | 2-1-1 | + - |
|
Gallagher is expected to face the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite a head injury. |
|||||
| Joel Armia (RW) | Ques Wed | Illness - 27 / 06 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-1-2 | + - |
|
Armia has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. |
|||||
| Jeff Petry (D) | Ques Wed | Hand - 06 / 06 / 21 | 8-5 | 3-5-5 | + - |
|
Petry is bothered by a right hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21 | 10-5 | 4-6-5 | + - |
|
Evans is out of the lineup due to a concussion, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Tomas Tatar (LW) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 | 12-5 | 5-7-5 | + - |
|
Tatar is sidelined due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Jon Merrill (D) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 | 12-5 | 5-7-5 | + - |
|
Merrill is managing an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Artturi Lehkonen (LW) | Ques Fri | Head - 24 / 05 / 21 | 13-7 | 6-9-5 | + - |
|
Lehkonen is dealing with a head injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Jets in Game 2 of the North Division finals. |
|||||
| Eric Staal (C) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21 | 13-7 | 6-9-5 | + - |
|
Staal is battling an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the North Division semifinals. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Out Sat | Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 | 15-7 | 7-10-5 | + - |
|
Evans is nursing an unknown ailment, and he will not be available for Game 6 of the North Division semifinals versus the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Muzzin (D) | Late June | Lower Body - 29 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Muzzin is out of commission due to a lower-body injury, and he is expected to miss at least three weeks. |
|||||
| Nick Foligno (LW) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 24 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Foligno is managing a lower-body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will line up against the Canadiens in Game 6 of the North Division semifinals. |
|||||
| John Tavares (C) | Early June | Concussion - 20 / 05 / 21 | 2-5 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Tavares is out of the lineup due to a concussion and a knee injury. He is projected to miss at least two weeks. |
|||||
| Ben Hutton (D) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 | 2-5 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Hutton is bothered by an undefined injury, and it is uncertain if he will dress for Game 1 of the North Division finals versus the Jets providing his team advances. |
|||||
| Mitchell Marner (RW) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 2-6 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Marner will not take the ice against the Jets on Friday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Justin Holl (D) | Prob Wed | Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21 | 2-7 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Holl is dealing with an undisclosed issue, but it is projected that he will play on Wednesday versus the Senators. |
|||||
| Nick Foligno (LW) | Prob Wed | Upper Body - 04 / 05 / 21 | 3-8 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Foligno has been absent from the last two games with an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will line up for Wednesday's clash with the Senators. |
|||||
| Justin Holl (D) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 02 / 05 / 21 | 4-8 | 5-6-1 | + - |
|
Holl missed the previous game tending to an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup on Thursday versus the Canadians. |
|||||
| Zach Bogosian (D) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 21 / 04 / 21 | 8-10 | 7-10-1 | + - |
|
Bogosian has been shifted to the injured reserve list with an upper-body injury, and there is no timetable for his return. |
|||||
| Scott Sabourin (RW) | Out indefinitely | Hand - 21 / 04 / 21 | 8-10 | 7-10-1 | + - |
|
Sabourin has been designated for the long-term injured reserve list with a hand injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
-
MONTREAL CANADIENS
2 -
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
4
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 May 12:43pm MON -1.5 +121 U +5.5 -136 Closing 31 May 11:04pm MON -1.5 +133 U +5.5 -136 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
Points 44
+ / - 28
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 12
GAA 2.64
Points 67
+ / - 23
Shots 222
Penalty Mins 49
Wins 17
GAA 2.15
Points 16
+ / - 4
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 13
GAA 2.28
Points 8
+ / - 5
Shots 35
Penalty Mins 12
Wins 3
GAA 1.81
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
Points 44
+ / - 28
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 12
GAA 2.64
Points 67
+ / - 23
Shots 222
Penalty Mins 49
Wins 17
GAA 2.15
Points 16
+ / - 4
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 13
GAA 2.28
Points 8
+ / - 5
Shots 35
Penalty Mins 12
Wins 3
GAA 1.81
-
Injuries
Jake Evans (C)
Ques Mon Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Prob Wed Head - 30 / 06 / 21Joel Armia (RW)
Ques Wed Illness - 27 / 06 / 21Jeff Petry (D)
Ques Wed Hand - 06 / 06 / 21Jake Evans (C)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21Tomas Tatar (LW)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21Jon Merrill (D)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21Artturi Lehkonen (LW)
Ques Fri Head - 24 / 05 / 21Eric Staal (C)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21Jake Evans (C)
Out Sat Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21Jake Muzzin (D)
Late June Lower Body - 29 / 05 / 21Nick Foligno (LW)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 24 / 05 / 21John Tavares (C)
Early June Concussion - 20 / 05 / 21Ben Hutton (D)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21Mitchell Marner (RW)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Justin Holl (D)
Prob Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21Nick Foligno (LW)
Prob Wed Upper Body - 04 / 05 / 21Justin Holl (D)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 02 / 05 / 21Zach Bogosian (D)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 21 / 04 / 21Scott Sabourin (RW)
Out indefinitely Hand - 21 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jake Evans (C) Ques Mon Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21 1-3 2-1-1 + - Evans is battling a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Lightning.
Brendan Gallagher (RW) Prob Wed Head - 30 / 06 / 21 1-3 2-1-1 + - Gallagher is expected to face the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite a head injury.
Joel Armia (RW) Ques Wed Illness - 27 / 06 / 21 2-3 2-1-2 + - Armia has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Jeff Petry (D) Ques Wed Hand - 06 / 06 / 21 8-5 3-5-5 + - Petry is bothered by a right hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights.
Jake Evans (C) Out indefinitely Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21 10-5 4-6-5 + - Evans is out of the lineup due to a concussion, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Tomas Tatar (LW) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 12-5 5-7-5 + - Tatar is sidelined due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Jon Merrill (D) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 12-5 5-7-5 + - Merrill is managing an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights.
Artturi Lehkonen (LW) Ques Fri Head - 24 / 05 / 21 13-7 6-9-5 + - Lehkonen is dealing with a head injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Jets in Game 2 of the North Division finals.
Eric Staal (C) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21 13-7 6-9-5 + - Staal is battling an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the North Division semifinals.
Jake Evans (C) Out Sat Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 15-7 7-10-5 + - Evans is nursing an unknown ailment, and he will not be available for Game 6 of the North Division semifinals versus the Maple Leafs.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jake Muzzin (D) Late June Lower Body - 29 / 05 / 21 0-2 1-1 + - Muzzin is out of commission due to a lower-body injury, and he is expected to miss at least three weeks.
Nick Foligno (LW) Ques Sat Lower Body - 24 / 05 / 21 2-3 2-3 + - Foligno is managing a lower-body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will line up against the Canadiens in Game 6 of the North Division semifinals.
John Tavares (C) Early June Concussion - 20 / 05 / 21 2-5 3-4 + - Tavares is out of the lineup due to a concussion and a knee injury. He is projected to miss at least two weeks.
Ben Hutton (D) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 2-5 3-4 + - Hutton is bothered by an undefined injury, and it is uncertain if he will dress for Game 1 of the North Division finals versus the Jets providing his team advances.
Mitchell Marner (RW) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 2-6 4-4 + - Marner will not take the ice against the Jets on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Justin Holl (D) Prob Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21 2-7 4-5 + - Holl is dealing with an undisclosed issue, but it is projected that he will play on Wednesday versus the Senators.
Nick Foligno (LW) Prob Wed Upper Body - 04 / 05 / 21 3-8 5-6 + - Foligno has been absent from the last two games with an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will line up for Wednesday's clash with the Senators.
Justin Holl (D) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 02 / 05 / 21 4-8 5-6-1 + - Holl missed the previous game tending to an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup on Thursday versus the Canadians.
Zach Bogosian (D) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 21 / 04 / 21 8-10 7-10-1 + - Bogosian has been shifted to the injured reserve list with an upper-body injury, and there is no timetable for his return.
Scott Sabourin (RW) Out indefinitely Hand - 21 / 04 / 21 8-10 7-10-1 + - Sabourin has been designated for the long-term injured reserve list with a hand injury, and he will miss an extended period.