What better way to start the NHL season than a classic matchup between archrivals the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadiens had a surprising run to the Eastern Conference finals last season, but failed to capitalize as they fell to the New York Rangers. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs disappointed as they failed to make the playoffs at 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Will the Habs carry over their 2013-2014 success onto the new season? Or will the short-manned Maple Leafs hold on to give their home fans a thrilling win? It’s a whole new season of hockey ahead. Check out our take on the 2014-2015 NHL season here.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
When: Wednesday, October 8, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Montreal Canadiens (-105) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-115); total 5.5 – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens will start the season with six-straight games on the road, beginning with arch rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadiens are 5-2 in their last seven games in Toronto.
[sc:NHL240 ]To follow through with their Eastern Conference finals, the Habs opted to sign P.K. Subban to an eight-year, $72 million deal in the offseason to take care of their defense. The signing made Subban the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL, and he has enough reason to be. He tied for fifth at his position with 43 assists last season as well as finishing with 53 points.
Subban should be a formidable presence in Montreal’s blue line against Toronto’s attacking duo of Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk. Meanwhile, at the last line of defense, Carey Price should be a stout goaltender between the pipes. Price ranked eighth in the league with a 2.32 goals-against average in 2013-2014, and recorded six shutouts. Price is 1-1-0 while allowing seven goals in two starts at Toronto last season.
On the attack, the Habs will be led by left winger Max Pacioretty, who scored a team-high 39 goals last season. In the meantime, Montreal will also expect more from their offseason signing right winger P.A. Parenteau, who finished with 14 goals and 19 assists with Colorado last season.
The total has gone over in Montreal’s last five games against the Maple Leafs.
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Betting on the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a disastrous end to their 2013-2014 regular season as they went 3-13 in their last 16 games.
Toronto’s defense left much to be desired last season. They allowed 265 goals, the fifth-highest total in the league. To boost their defense, they added defensemen Stephane Robidas from Anaheim and Roman Polak from St. Louis to their roster, goaltender Jonathan Bernier should be solid between the pipes. Bernier posted a .923 save percentage (eighth in the league) last season despite facing the seventh-most shots against (1,787).
Phil Kessel will lead the Maple Leafs’ attack after finishing with a team-high 80 points (sixth in the NHL) last season. However, Kessel may not be in optimal condition as a lower body injury kept him out of Friday’s preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. Should he be able to play, Kessel will be joined by James van Riemsdyk, who tallied career-bests in goals (30) and assists (31) last season.
Kessel and JVR should be a tough challenge for the league’s highest-paid defenseman in the Habs’ Subban. The two combined for 67 goals and 74 assists last season. Meanwhile, they also make up Toronto’s top power-play unit with center Tyler Bozak.
The Maple Leafs have opened against Montreal in the past five years, winning four of those games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Canadiens (-105) get off to a strong start as they come out with a win in Toronto.
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