Montreal Canadiens (19-24-3) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (28-11-7)
Game Info: Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 7:00 pm (Bell Centre)
Betting Odds: Montreal Canadiens +240 / Toronto Maple Leafs -305 --- Over/Under: 6.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Toronto Maple Leafs will play the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
Toronto Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 28-11-7 this season after they defeated the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Toronto was out shot by a total of 38-27 and lost 58.9% of the faceoffs in the win. The Toronto Maple Leafs are averaging 3.39 goals per game, 2.61 goals against per game, 24.7% on the power play, and 78.2% on the penalty kill. Mitchell Marner has led the Maple Leafs with 17 goals, 38 assists, and 108 shots on goal this season. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Ilya Samsonov, who is 14-4-1 this season with a 2.18 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.
Montreal Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 19-24-3 this season after they lost to the Florida Panthers by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Montreal was out shot by a total of 40-25 and allowed four goals on the penalty kill in the loss. The Montreal Candiens are averaging 2.57 goals per game, 3.67 goals against per game, 15.3% on the power play, and 73.7% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led the Canadiens with 16 goals, 21 assists, and 81 shots on goal this season. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Sam Montembeault, who is 9-8-2 this season with a 3.21 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
Trends
Toronto is 5-2 in their last 7 games and 7-3 in their last 10 Saturday games. The over is 5-1 in Toronto’s last 6 Saturday games. Montreal is 17-35 in their last 52 home games and 1-5 in their last 6 Saturday games. The over is 8-2-1 in Montreal’s last 11 Saturday games. The home team is 5-0 in these two teams last 5 head to head meetings.
Pick
Montreal comes into this game with the home ice advantage and they have won two of their last three games. Toronto has won two games in a row and comes into this game as one of the better teams in hockey this year. Toronto is the better team in just about every metric and has played decently well on the road, despite losing their last two road games. I am going to take Montreal +1.5 goals here, as they have played much better in recent games.