The Toronto Maple Leafs (11-2-1) host the Montreal Canadiens (8-4-2) at Scotiabank Arena Saturday for the third installment of 2021 for this rivalry series. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Canadiens-Maple Leafs NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Maple Leafs topped the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime in the season opener for both teams and proved it was no fluke with a 4-2 win in Montreal Wednesday.
Toronto has won four straight games in regulation to remain atop the all-Canadian North Division. Montreal took a 3-0 loss against the Edmonton Oilers Thursday for its third loss in its last four games.
Canadiens at Maple Leafs: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Canadiens +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Maple Leafs -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Canadiens +1.5 (-225) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Canadiens at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies
Carey Price (4-2-2, .896 SV%, 2.84 GAA) vs. Frederik Andersen (9-2-1, .908 SV%, 2.59 GAA)
Price has suffered back-to-back losses to the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. He allowed 3 goals in each of those games on a total of just 45 shots on goal. He had previously won three straight games, but he gave up 5 goals on 34 shots in the season opener against the Leafs.
Andersen has been in net for four straight wins by the Leafs, and he has backstopped them to at least one point in eight consecutive games. He stopped 28 of 32 shots in the season-opening overtime win, and he stopped 33 of 35 shots against Montreal Wednesday.
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Canadiens at Maple Leafs: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Canadiens 4, Maple Leafs 2
Money line (ML)
Back the CANADIENS (+120) as they attempt to flip the script from Wednesday’s head-to-head clash. They were slight favorites at home for that contest, but the odds flipped for the second meeting of the week.
Montreal registered 62.2% of the total 5-on-5 shot attempts (including blocked and missed shots) and 57.89% of the scoring chances at full strength Wednesday. Toronto won both of those battles in the first meeting this season but by much narrower margins.
Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play Wednesday, but the Leafs have a significant edge with the man advantage for the season scoring at a fourth-ranked 34.88% clip. The Canadiens’ key to victory will be avoiding penalty trouble.
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Against the spread (ATS)
There’s too much risk to take the Canadiens +1.5 (-225) for the goal of insurance on the puck line and the alternate line of Canadiens -1.5 (+290) is a little too bold.
The Leafs lead the season series 2-0 and have outscored the Canadiens 9-6. The Habs won each of the previous four meetings, but three of those were decided by single-goal margins.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 6.5 (-110) with both No. 1 starters rested coming into Saturday. Defensive play improved considerably from the season opener to Wednesday’s meeting, and play should continue to tighten up atop the North Division.
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