Two teams squaring off for the third time this season, the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs face off at Air Canada Centre for an Original Six showdown. The match gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 17, and it’s being televised live on CBC Sports.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto is 42-29 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 5.3 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during last years regular season (40-42). Through 71 regular season outings, 36 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just four have pushed. The teams 24-10 SU at home this season.
The Maple Leafs have connected on 22.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
The Maple Leafs, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 31.0 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (35 wins, 23 losses, and five OT losses) has been the top goalkeeper for Toronto this season. If Toronto chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Curtis McElhinney (9-6-6 record, .931 save percentage, 2.25 goals against average).
Mitchell Marner and William Nylander will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Maple Leafs. Marner (59 points) has put up 19 goals and 40 assists and has recorded multiple points on 15 separate occasions this year. Nylander has 14 goals and 37 assists to his name and has notched a point in 37 games.
On the other side of the ice, Montreal is 26-45 straight up (SU) and has lost 21.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 71 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the road team, the Canadiens are 9-26 SU.
The Canadiens have scored on 21.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, 4.0 per game over their last five contests total, and 4.4 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to kill penalties 9.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Carey Price (.904 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.3 saves per game and has 15 wins, 28 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Alex Galchenyuk (16 goals, 28 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive facilitators for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Power plays and penalty kills could prove to be critical in tonight’s game. The Canadiens are 10-14 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 19-30 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Maple Leafs are 15-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 31-27 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Three of Toronto’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 7-2 overall in shootouts this year.
- Toronto may have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The teams 22-10 in games decided by one goal, while Montreal is 10-15 in such games.
- The over has hit in each of Toronto’s last five outings.
- Toronto has scored 3.4 goals per game overall this season, but is averaging 5.3 per matchup in its last three games (the team’s a perfect 0-0 SU during that span).
- Toronto skaters have averaged 14.4 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 12.1 giveaways per game (ranked 27th in the league).
- Montreal is ranked 29th this season with 12.4 giveaways per game. That figure has trended down, however, as the team’s averaged 10.3 giveaways over its last 10 games and 10.2 giveaways over its last five.
- Montreal skaters have dished out the second-most hits in the league (25.8 per game).
