Leafs vs Canadiens Odds, Picks & Best Bets (Jan. 21)
There’s nothing better in the NHL than a Saturday night game between the Toronto Maple Leafs (28-11-7) and Montreal Canadiens (19-24-3). Just as there’s no doubt that currently, Toronto is a better team than Montreal.
Well, at least the Maple Leafs certainly appear to be on paper. On-ice outcomes are telling a different story.
This game is a road tilt for Toronto. The Leafs are 1-4-1 straight up in the club’s past six NHL regular-season visits to Montreal. Taking into account all meetings between the two teams. the Canadiens are 3-1 SU in the last four games. That’s including a 4-3 Montreal home-ice decision earlier this season.
Still, oddsmakers are sticking with the form charts and backing the Maple Leafs. Toronto is a -292 road favorite for this game. The Leafs are just 20-26 against the puckline this season.
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens Odds
Odds as of January 20th at Caesars Sportsbook. Claim the Caesars Sportsbook bonus code here.
Puck drop is set for 7:00pm ET on Saturday, January 21 at the Bell Center. The NHL Network is showing the broadcast in the USA. CBC is carrying the game in Canada.
In the NHL public betting splits, the Maple Leafs are getting most of the action. There’s 86% of handle and 86% of bets backing Toronto in the puck line splits. On the moneyline splits, the Leafs are drawing 69% of handle and 82% of bets.
When it comes to the total of 6.5 goals, the people are divided. The over is the play on 57% of public handle, while 52% of bets are going for the under.
The total has gone over in six of Toronto’s last seven road games. However, the under has hit in four of Montreal’s last six games. And the under has come through in seven of the last 10 games between the two teams.
Toronto is the fourth betting choice in the Stanley Cup odds at +900.
Maple Leafs Dealing With Close Calls
Toronto shows a 3-2 record over the past five games and three of those games concluded in one-goal decisions.
Over the past five games, forward Mitch Marner is pacing the Leafs with four assists and six points. Just added to the NHL All-Star Game rosters and a favorite in the Rocket Richard Trophy odds, Auston Matthews has counted four goals in five games.
Already missing defensemen Jake Muzzin (neck), TJ Brodie (ribs) and former Montrealer Victor Mete (lower body) on IR, the Leafs also saw Timothy Liljegren (upper body) leave their last game against Winnipeg. He’s questionable for this game.
Canadiens Struggle On Through Injuries
Once playing well above expectations, a rash of injuries brought Montreal’s promising start crashing down. The Canadiens are 5-13 SU over their last 18 games. Carrying a hot hand for Montreal is forward Kirby Dach (five points in five games).
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens Recent Results
Montreal is showing 11 players on the injury list. Key performers missing include forwards Brendan Gallagher (lower body), Sean Monahan (lower body), Joel Armia (upper body), Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed) and Jake Evans (lower body), goalie Jake Allen (upper body) and defensemen Kaiden Guhle (leg) and Mike Matheson (lower body). Drouin is leading the Canadiens with four assists in the past five games.
Toronto vs Montreal Pick & Prediction
No matter how they’re playing, the Habs always seem to save their best for Toronto. The Canadiens have hit on the puckline in eight consecutive games against Toronto. And the Maple Leafs are a different team on the road (11-8-3) than at home (17-3-4).
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens Same-Game Parlay Picks
Overall, the Leafs are 2-6 SU in the last eight against Montreal and 1-4 SU in the past five games at Montreal.
Pick: Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (+235)
