In this article we will formulate a Maple Leafs vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, April 12th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 48-26-4 this season after they defeated Tampa Bay in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Toronto led 2-0 in the first period and 3-2 in the third, but they needed a goal in overtime to get the win. The Maple Leafs outshot TB by a total of 31-28, won 60.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from Knies (3) and Marner, while Stolarz stopped 25 out of 28 shots in the game.
Prior to that overtime win, the Maple Leafs lost to the Panthers by a score of 3-1, but did beat the Blue Jackets by a score of 5-0 before that. Toronto has won five of their last six games and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 100 points. Toronto has scored 3.26 goals per game and they have allowed 2.89 goals against per game, while also going 26% on the power play and 77.8% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led Toronto with 25 goals, 72 assists, and 165 shots on goal, while William Nylander has added 44 goals, 38 assists, and 245 shots on goal. Joseph Woll is 25-14-1 with a 2.76 goals against average and a .907 save percentage this season.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 39-31-9 this year after they lost to Ottawa by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Montreal cut the deficit to 3-1 and 4-2 in the second period, but couldn’t find any goals in the third in the loss. The Canadiens were outshot by a total of 33-22, won 49.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Dvorak and Suzuki, while Montembeault stopped 28 out of 32 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Canadiens defeated the Red Wings by a score of 4-1 and the Predators by a score of 2-1. Montreal has won six of their last seven games and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 87 points. Montreal has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 3.21 goals against per game, while also going 20.6% on the power play and 80.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 29 goals, 58 assists, and 164 shots on goal, while Cole Caufield has added 37 goals, 31 assists, and 232 shots on goal. Jakub Dobes is 7-4-2 with a 2.87 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this year.
Why the Maple Leafs will beat the Canadiens
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last six games at Scotiabank Arena.
- The Maple Leafs have won seven of their last eight games against the Canadiens.
- The home team has covered the puck line in five of the Canadiens’ last six games.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six road games.
- The Maple Leafs have won the second period in seven of their last eight games against the Canadiens.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Canadiens’ last six games against the Maple Leafs following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight home games after coming off overtime have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last nine games as underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 11 home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- Mitch Marner has recorded at least one assist in each of the Maple Leafs’ last five home games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- William Nylander has scored a goal in each of the Maple Leafs’ last four home games against the Canadiens.
- Auston Matthews has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine appearances with the Maple Leafs as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Nick Suzuki has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Cole Caufield has recorded at least one point in 16 of his last 17 road appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- Lane Hutson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last seven Saturday night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Nick Suzuki has scored the last goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.96%).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank T7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.26).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 30th in the league for shots per game this season (25.8).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 30th in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (1.04).
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens Prediction
Toronto comes into this matchup currently leading the Atlantic standings, but Tampa Bay is just two points behind them. The Maple Leafs are 25-13-1 at home this year, while the Canadiens are 17-19-4 on the road. Montreal has won six of their last seven games and they have a solid hold on the second wild card spot in the East, but they still need to lock it up officially. The Canadiens have done a great job of getting wins, but they have been outplayed in three straight games and will have the backup goalie in net here. Take Toronto to win by at least two goals in this contest.