Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens return home after closing out a three-game road trip with Saturday’s 4-3 win in Los Angeles, but have failed to tally consecutive victories during a 3-1-3 run that leaves them trailing third-place Detroit by a point in the divisional standings. The Maple Leafs renew their century-old rivalry with the Canadiens looking for answers after seeing their current losing streak extend to seven games with Saturday’s crushing 5-2 loss to the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Canadiens return home as -170 favourites on Tuesday’s NHL odds. The Maple Leafs trail as +140 underdogs on the NHL moneyline, and the total is listed at 6.5.
Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
The Maple Leafs opened their season series with the Canadiens with a decisive 5-2 victory in their season opener on October 8, but have dropped a pair of decisions since, including a 5-2 loss in Montreal on November 22. The Leafs have scored just three total goals in their two recent losses to the Habs, and have scored two or fewer goals in three of their past four head-to-head meetings. Reversing that trend is likely to be a huge challenge for this Toronto squad, which has potted just two goals per game during the epic swoon that has all but snuffed out their playoff hopes. Indeed, opponents have filled the Leafs net during the club’s 0-5-2 slide, scoring 4.57 goals per game, and 11 total goals in their past two outings. However, the Habs have also struggled to shut down opposing shooters, surrendering 3.87 goals per game over their past seven outings and 6+ goals twice in their past three contests.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs briefly gave their suffering fans some home with an early lead on Saturday night before surrendering four goals to Tampa Bay in the opening frame in yet another dismal performance. Once again, the Leafs big guns were silent. Auston Matthews was held off the scoresheet for a second straight game and has now failed to score in 11 appearances since January 27. John Tavares saw a three-game points streak snapped and his goal drought extend to five games, while Matthew Knies also saw a three-game point streak end and has scored just once six games. William Nylander remained his consistent self with an assist, extending his points streak to five games, and has generated 18 points in 14 games since his return from injury in January. One positive for the Buds has been the steady play of Matias Maccelli, who potted the team’s lone goal versus the Lightning, and has now scored in three straight contests to extend his current points streak to five games.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens needed some late-game heroics to eke out their victory over the Kings on Saturday, and the duo of Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky were up to the task. Suzuki set up Slafkovsky’s power play goal to tie the game before the slick Slovak returned the favour by assisting on Suzuki’s game winner less than a minute later. Overall, Slafkovsky has found a higher gear since returning from the Olympics, tallying seven points in five games including multi-point efforts in his past two outings. Suzuki has also been red-hot since the break, scoring three times and adding six helpers during a four-game points streak but has mustered just one point in three appearances versus the Leafs this season. Cole Caufield racked up a goal and three assists in the final two games of the road trip and has averaged a goal per game in his past six home appearances. Conversely, Ivan Demidov has mustered just two points in his past six outings.
