The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs open their 2021-22 NHL regular seasons Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Canadiens look to build upon their magical postseason run that took them to the Stanley Cup Final and within a whisker of a championship. On the way to that Finals appearance, they dispatched of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs are looking to exact a little revenge after blowing a 3-1 series lead, eventually losing in seven games to the Habs in the first round. Toronto went 7-2-1 in 10 meetings during the regular season against Montreal.
Canadiens at Maple Leafs odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:00 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Canadiens +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Maple Leafs -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Canadiens +1.5 (-160) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
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Canadiens at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Jake Allen (11-12-0, 2.68 GAA, .907 SV%) vs. Jack Campbell (17-3-0, 2.15 GAA, .921 SV%)
Allen will begin the season in between the pipes with Carey Price away from the team and in the NHL/NHL Players’ Association joint player assistance program. Allen will start, with Samuel Montembeault as the primary backup and Cayden Primeau available when needed.
Campbell fared well against the Habs in the regular season, going 4-1-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .918 SV% in six starts. He also won seven of his eight starts at Scotiabank Arena overall during the regular season.
Canadiens at Maple Leafs odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Maple Leafs 4, Canadiens 3
Money line
The MAPLE LEAFS (-180) have a bit of a high number for my liking, as I think this is going to be a close game, even with Price unavailable to the Canadiens (+145). Allen is a veteran more than capable of helping the visitors steady the ship.
Against the spread
CANADIENS +1.5 (-160) dashed the dreams of the Maple Leafs -1.5 (+125) yet again in the playoffs. Despite the fact Phillip Danault, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Corey Perry, Eric Staal and Tomas Tatar have changed postal codes and are no longer part of the team with a deep playoff run, the Habs have enough depth to keep the Leafs close.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-135) is a strong play. In the first two NHL games Tuesday we saw an average of 7.5 total goals per game, and we should see plenty here, too. Allen is a decent veteran, but he will give up plenty to the high-octane Leafs offense. And Campbell will also yield his fair share to the pesky Habs.
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