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Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions Jan. 18: Bet on Toronto, Matthews on Hockey Night in Canada

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens re-ignite their rivalry on Hockey Night in Canada.

The pregame narrative: This is uncharted territory for both teams. For the first time in a long time, Montreal is legitimately threatening for a playoff spot. Toronto, meanwhile, is leading the Atlantic Division. I’m taking the Maple Leafs to win and am backing Auston Matthews to score.

Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions for Jan. 18.

Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions

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Best Bet: Maple Leafs moneyline (-137)

I have to give Montreal its flowers before explaining why I’m backing Toronto.

Martin St. Louis’ squad has won eight of its last 10 games, beating teams like the Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, and Dallas Stars.

During this stretch, it’s given up just 2.0 goals per game.

However, this is a matchup Toronto has dominated recently. The Leafs have won six of their last seven games against the Canadiens, with the only outlier being a 1-0 loss on opening night this season.

In that game, Sam Montembeault turned away 48 shots in a career performance.

It’s unclear who will start in goal for Montreal tonight with a back-to-back against the New York Rangers on deck tomorrow.

I believe it will be Montembeault since rookie Jakub Dobes played on Thursday night. Dobes has been spectacular while Montembeault owns an .888 SV% this month. Still, it’s something to keep an eye on.

Either way, Toronto has been one of the best teams in the NHL this season. I trust its large body of work over Montreal’s recent form.

Key stat: The Maple Leafs are 28-16-2 and have won five of their last six road games.

Quick picks

Matthews to score (-105): We might never know what’s been wrong with Matthews this season. But what I do know is he’s been firing on all cylinders since returning to the lineup on Jan. 4.

6 G, 5 A in 7 GP
Scored in 5/7 games

Toronto’s captain is coming off a heroic two-goal performance against the New Jersey Devils, scoring a pair of game-tying goals to force overtime.

Matthews had over 21 minutes of ice time and fired five shots on goal, which is an encouraging sign based on his previous injury history.

Assuming he’s fully healthy — which to some may be a leap — we’re getting a guy who scored 69 goals last season at basically even money.

Matthews is on a 58-goal pace this month, so I’m willing to make that leap.

NHL picks made at 10:16 a.m. ET on 01/18/25.

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Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes prop picks Jan. 17: Bet on Pietrangelo, Dorofeyev on Friday

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.

The pregame narrative: Two of the NHL’s powerhouses square off, both looking to get back in the win column. I’m backing Pavel Dorofeyev to find the score sheet, and Alex Pietrangelo shots on goal.

Check out my Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes props for Jan. 17.

Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes prop picks

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Best bet: Dorofeyev over 0.5 points (+120)

Dorofeyev might be the best player you’ve never heard of.

The 24-year-old Russian has been on a heater in his first full season in the NHL.

He played just 47 games last year, recording 13 goals and 24 points. This season, in 44 games, he has 19 goals and 27 points.

Vegas recognized his talent and moved him to the No. 1 power play, where he’s potted eight of his 19 goals. He leads the Knights in PP tallies.

Key stat: Dorofeyev has six points in the last two games, including three on the man advantage.

Quick pick

Pietrangelo over 1.5 shots (-125): The shots on goal props have been good to me lately, so I’m sticking to them.

This has been Pietrangelo’s shots total all season, and I’m shocked it hasn’t increased given his recent play.

The Golden Knights’ defenceman has cleared this mark in five of the last six games.

Carolina’s defence is feisty, but I believe Vegas’ offence will give them a good fight.

The Knights rank fifth in shots per game (30.7).

Picks made at 3:30 p.m. ET on 01/17/2025.

Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes prop picks Jan. 17: Bet on Pietrangelo, Dorofeyev on Friday

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.

The pregame narrative: Two of the NHL’s powerhouses square off, both looking to get back in the win column. I’m backing Pavel Dorofeyev to find the score sheet while fading Jack Roslovic. I also have a play on Alex Pietrangelo.

Check out my Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes props for Jan. 17.

Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes prop picks

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Best bet: Roslovic under 0.5 points (-162)

This game isn’t exactly a prop bettor’s dream, which is why I’m leaning toward an under as my best bet.

The Knights and Hurricanes are both top 10 teams defensively.

Team	Goals allowed/game	Shots allowed/game
Carolina	9th (2.78)	2nd (25)
Vegas	6th (2.68)	8th (27.1)

Roslovic surprisingly leads the Hurricanes in goals (17), despite a -4 rating and just over 14:00 minutes of ice time per game. Linemates Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis certainly play a factor in this.

The former first-round pick had a productive December, when he recorded 10 points on 25.0% shooting in 13 games.

Since then, he’s been ice cold.

Through eight games in January, Roslovic hasn’t found the score sheet and owns a -4 rating.

Roslovic is bound to break the streak with the talent around him, but tonight isn’t a promising matchup for him.

Key stat: In 12 career games against Vegas, Roslovic has recorded just two points.

Quick picks

Pietrangelo over 1.5 shots (-125): The shots on goal props have been good to me lately, so I’m sticking to them.

This has been Pietrangelo’s shots total all season, and I’m shocked it hasn’t increased given his recent play.

The Golden Knights’ defenceman has cleared this mark in five of the last six games.

Carolina’s defence is feisty, but I believe Vegas’ offence will give them a good fight.

The Knights rank fifth in shots per game (30.7).

Dorofeyev over 0.5 points (+128): Dorofeyev might be the best player you’ve never heard of.

The 24-year-old Russian has been on a heater in his first full season in the NHL.

He played just 47 games last year, recording 13 goals and 24 points. This season, in 44 games, he has 19 goals and 27 points.

Vegas recognized his talent and moved him to the No. 1 power play, where he’s potted eight of his 19 goals. He leads the Knights in PP tallies.

Dorofeyev has six points in the last two games, including three on the man advantage.

Picks made at 2:30 p.m. ET on 01/17/2025.

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Oilers vs. Avalanche prop picks Jan. 16: Back Draisaitl and McDavid, fade Toews

A loaded 13-game Thursday NHL slate is capped off with the Edmonton Oilers facing the Colorado Avalanche.

The pregame narrative: Two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference duke it out in Denver in a primetime slot. I’m taking Connor McDavid to produce on the power play. I also have plays on Leon Draisaitl and Devon Toews.

Check out my Oilers vs. Avalanche prop picks for Jan. 16.

Oilers vs. Avalanche prop picks

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Best bet: Toews under 0.5 points (-150)

Toews has reached the 50-point mark in each of his last three seasons with Colorado. But he’s in jeopardy of hitting that mark this year.

The 30-year-old is on pace for just 40 points, which would be his lowest output since the 2020-2021 season.

Given the offensive prowess of linemate Cale Makar, it makes sense that Toews’ scoring has taken a hit. He’s still regarded as one of the strongest pure defencemen in the NHL, though, and his inclusion on Team Canada’s 4 Nations roster proves that.

In the past 13 games, Toews has gone pointless nine times but has a +12 rating and averages over 26 minutes of ice time.

Key stat: Toews has recorded just three points in nine games against the Oilers as a member of the Avalanche.

Quick picks

Draisaitl over 2.5 shots (-154): Get this number on Draisaitl while you still can.

The German has had three-plus shots in six of his last seven contests. And he’s missed the mark just four times in his last 17 games.

I suspect that Draisaitl’s shot prop will climb to 3.5 — or even 4.5 — in the next week or two.

Edmonton leads the NHL in shots per game (32.3) and has the eighth-best power play (25.0%), which creates more shooting opportunities for Draisaitl.

Colorado also allows the seventh-most shots per game (26.6).

McDavid over 0.5 power-play points (+137): I took this bet yesterday in Edmonton’s clash versus Minnesota, and I feel emboldened to go back to it tonight.

The Wild only took one penalty, but that’s all McDavid needed to bury a goal on the Oilers’ man advantage.

Colorado is the seventh-most penalized team in the league (6.9 minutes/game), and Edmonton’s power play has been lethal this season.

McDavid plays over three minutes per night on the man advantage and paces Oilers skaters with 19 power-play points.

Picks made at 4:30 p.m. ET on 01/16/2025.

Oilers vs. Avalanche prop picks Jan. 16: Back Draisaitl and McDavid, fade Toews

A loaded 13-game Thursday NHL slate is capped off with the Edmonton Oilers facing the Colorado Avalanche.

The pregame narrative: Two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference duke it out in Denver in a primetime slot. I’m taking Connor McDavid to produce on the power play. I also have plays on Leon Draisaitl and Devon Toews.

Check out my Oilers vs. Avalanche prop picks for Jan. 16.

Oilers vs. Avalanche prop picks

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Best bet: Toews under 0.5 points (-159)

Toews has reached the 50-point mark in each of his last three seasons with Colorado. But he’s in jeopardy of hitting that mark this year.

The 30-year-old is on pace for just 40 points, which would be his lowest output since the 2020-2021 season.

Given the offensive prowess of linemate Cale Makar, it makes sense that Toews’ scoring has taken a hit. He’s still regarded as one of the strongest pure defencemen in the NHL, though, and his inclusion on Team Canada’s 4 Nations roster proves that.

In the past 13 games, Toews has gone pointless nine times but has a +12 rating and averages over 26 minutes of ice time.

Key stat: Toews has recorded just three points in nine games against the Oilers as a member of the Avalanche.

Quick picks

Draisaitl over 2.5 shots (-120): Get this number on Draisaitl while you still can.

The German has had three-plus shots in six of his last seven contests. And he’s missed the mark just four times in his last 17 games.

I suspect that Draisaitl’s shot prop will climb to 3.5 — or even 4.5 — in the next week or two.

Edmonton leads the NHL in shots per game (32.3) and has the eighth-best power play (25.0%), which creates more shooting opportunities for Draisaitl.

Colorado also allows the seventh-most shots per game (26.6).

McDavid over 0.5 power-play points (+130): I took this bet yesterday in Edmonton’s clash versus Minnesota, and I feel emboldened to go back to it tonight.

The Wild only took one penalty, but that’s all McDavid needed to bury a goal on the Oilers’ man advantage.

Colorado is the seventh-most penalized team in the league (6.9 minutes/game), and Edmonton’s power play has been lethal this season.

McDavid plays over three minutes per night on the man advantage and paces Oilers skaters with 19 power-play points.

Picks made at 4:10 p.m. ET on 01/16/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Devils Jan. 16: Bet on Hughes, fade Matthews and Meier

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.

The pregame narrative: Toronto hopes to end its homestand on a positive note and avoid a four-game skid. I’m backing Jack Hughes in the shots department while fading Auston Matthews in the same category. I also have a play on Timo Meier.

Check out my Maple Leafs props vs. Devils for Jan. 16.

Maple Leafs props vs. Devils

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Best bet: Meier under 0.5 points (-134)

The Craig Berube experience has been as advertised.

Not the most exciting hockey, but it gets results with a stout defence night in and night out.

2023-24 Leafs goals allowed per game: 3.06
2024-25 Leafs goals allowed per game: 2.84

Joseph Woll is the confirmed starter for the Leafs, and the fourth-year netminder has not disappointed. Woll’s play has been good enough for a 14-8-0 record with a 2.65 goals against average.

Meier has lost a step offensively since coming over from the San Jose Sharks to the Devils.

During his last two years in San Jose, Meier was nearly a point-per-game player (0.95), but his numbers have dropped in New Jersey.

Key stat: Meier has been limited to three points in his last nine games.

Quick picks

Matthews under 3.5 shots (-134): If you’ve been tracking my plays lately, you would notice a lot of material on players going under their shots total.

My next play goes against this, but it’s been working for Leafs’ players so I’ll keep backing down.

Matthews was a demon in the shots-on-goal department in December and early January but has cooled off since:

Matthews cleared this line in 7/8 games between Dec. 7 and Jan. 4.
Since then, he’s gone under this in five straight despite producing six points.

The Devils allow the third-least amount of shots per game in the league (25.6).

Hughes over 3.5 shots (-163): To borrow a phrase from Charles Barkley, Hughes has recently been “shooting that thang” at a high rate.

And with the Devils in second place in the East, I don’t see any reason for him to steer away.

The young superstar has cleared this line in eight of the last nine games, with 41 total shots over that span.

According to Natural Stat Trick, New Jersey has the highest expected goals rate per 60 (3.55). Toronto also ranks 24th in the NHL in shots allowed/game (29.1).

Picks made at 4:25 a.m. ET on 01/16/2025.

Kings vs. Canucks picks and odds Jan. 16: Fade DeBrusk, Hughes’ shots totals

The Los Angeles Kings travel north to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

The pregame narrative: Two Pacific Division rivals square off, both desperate to get in the win column. I’m backing the road team to pull away with two points. I also have plays on Jake DeBrusk and Quinn Hughes.

Check out my Kings vs. Canucks picks for Jan. 16.

Kings vs. Canucks picks

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Best bet: DeBrusk under 1.5 shots (-108)

DeBrusk hasn’t been shooting the puck a ton despite his production this season.

He paces the Canucks in goals (17) but has been on a cold stretch lately, with just three in his last 15 games.

DeBrusk’s career-high 19.1 shooting percentage plays a factor. He’s on track to break his single-season goals record (27) and is shooting the puck at an ultra-efficient rate.

Vancouver has the second-lowest shots on goal per game (25.2), ahead of only the Chicago Blackhawks.

According to Natural Stat Trick, the Canucks are second-worst in high-danger chances per 60 (9.59).

Key stat: DeBrusk has gone under 1.5 shots in six of the last seven games.

Quick picks

Kings moneyline (-110): Since taking over the job midway through last season, L.A. coach Jim Hiller has made the Kings into one of the best defensive teams.

Here’s how they rank amongst the rest of the league:

1st in goals allowed/game: 2.41
1st in shots allowed/game: 24.9
1st in expected goals against per 60: 2.48
9th in penalty kill: 82.1%

The Kings goalie tandem of Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich has been good enough for the top spot in team goals against average (2.41).

The Canucks have been on a recent skid, winning just one of their last six games.

Hughes under 2.5 shots (-150): I love me some Quinn Hughes, but his shots on goal production has diminished as of late.

This bet has cashed in six straight and eight of the last 10.

As previously mentioned, the Kings are one of the best defensive teams in the NHL and the Canucks have struggled to find the back of the net recently.

In Vancouver’s last four games, they’ve mustered just five goals.

Los Angeles allows the third-fewest high-danger chances against per 60 (9.91).

Picks made at 4:30 p.m. ET on 01/16/2025.

Kings vs. Canucks picks and odds Jan. 16: Fade DeBrusk, Hughes’ shots totals

The Los Angeles Kings travel north to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

The pregame narrative: Two Pacific Division rivals square off, both desperate to get in the win column. I’m backing the road team to pull away with two points. I also have plays on Jake DeBrusk and Quinn Hughes.

Check out my Kings vs. Canucks picks for Jan. 16.

Kings vs. Canucks picks

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Best bet: DeBrusk under 1.5 shots (+118)

DeBrusk hasn’t been shooting the puck a ton despite his production this season.

He paces the Canucks in goals (17) but has been on a cold stretch lately, with just three in his last 15 games.

DeBrusk’s career-high 19.1 shooting percentage plays a factor. He’s on track to break his single-season goals record (27) and is shooting the puck at an ultra-efficient rate.

Vancouver has the second-lowest shots on goal per game (25.2), ahead of only the Chicago Blackhawks.

According to Natural Stat Trick, the Canucks are second-worst in high-danger chances per 60 (9.59).

Key stat: DeBrusk has gone under 1.5 shots in six of the last seven games.

Quick picks

Kings moneyline (-104): Since taking over the job midway through last season, L.A. coach Jim Hiller has made the Kings into one of the best defensive teams.

Here’s how they rank amongst the rest of the league:

1st in goals allowed/game: 2.41
1st in shots allowed/game: 24.9
1st in expected goals against per 60: 2.48
9th in penalty kill: 82.1%

The Kings goalie tandem of Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich has been good enough for the top spot in team goals against average (2.41).

The Canucks have been on a recent skid, winning just one of their last six games.

Hughes under 2.5 shots (-136): I love me some Quinn Hughes, but his shots on goal production has diminished as of late.

This bet has cashed in six straight and eight of the last 10.

As previously mentioned, the Kings are one of the best defensive teams in the NHL and the Canucks have struggled to find the back of the net recently.

In Vancouver’s last four games, they’ve mustered just five goals.

Los Angeles allows the third-fewest high-danger chances against per 60 (9.91).

Picks made at 1:40 p.m. ET on 01/16/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Devils Jan. 16: Bet on Hughes, fade Matthews and Meier

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.

The pregame narrative: Toronto hopes to end its homestand on a positive note and avoid a four-game skid. I’m backing Jack Hughes in the shots department while fading Auston Matthews in the same category. I also have a play on Timo Meier.

Check out my Maple Leafs props vs. Devils for Jan. 16.

Maple Leafs props vs. Devils

Embed: #106429

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Best bet: Meier under 0.5 points (-129)

The Craig Berube experience has been as advertised.

Not the most exciting hockey, but it gets results with a stout defence night in and night out.

2023-24 Leafs goals allowed per game: 3.06
2024-25 Leafs goals allowed per game: 2.84

Joseph Woll is the confirmed starter for the Leafs, and the fourth-year netminder has not disappointed. Woll’s play has been good enough for a 14-8-0 record with a 2.65 goals against average.

Meier has lost a step offensively since coming over from the San Jose Sharks to the Devils.

During his last two years in San Jose, Meier was nearly a point-per-game player (0.95), but his numbers have dropped in New Jersey.

Key stat: Meier has been limited to three points in his last nine games.

Quick picks

Matthews under 3.5 shots (-124): If you’ve been tracking my plays lately, you would notice a lot of material on players going under their shots total.

My next play goes against this, but it’s been working for Leafs’ players so I’ll keep backing down.

Matthews was a demon in the shots-on-goal department in December and early January but has cooled off since:

Matthews cleared this line in 7/8 games between Dec. 7 and Jan. 4.
Since then, he’s gone under this in five straight despite producing six points.

The Devils allow the third-least amount of shots per game in the league (25.6).

Hughes over 3.5 shots (-130): To borrow a phrase from Charles Barkley, Hughes has recently been “shooting that thang” at a high rate.

And with the Devils in second place in the East, I don’t see any reason for him to steer away.

The young superstar has cleared this line in eight of the last nine games, with 41 total shots over that span.

According to Natural Stat Trick, New Jersey has the highest expected goals rate per 60 (3.55). Toronto also ranks 24th in the NHL in shots allowed/game (29.1).

Picks made at 11:45 a.m. ET on 01/16/2025.

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4 Nations Face-Off leading scorer odds and best bets: McDavid is favoured, Hughes could be a value play

The 4 Nations Face-Off — the highly anticipated best-on-best international hockey tournament — takes place next month.

The latest: To no one’s surprise, Connor McDavid is favoured to lead the tournament in points. Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is atop the odds board for Team USA but I’m backing a different Hughes to lead the way for the Americans.

Check out our 44 Nations Face-Off leading scorer odds as of Jan. 16.

4 Nations Face-Off leading scorer odds

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McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon slot 1-2 to lead the tournament in scoring with a duo of Americans right behind.

Auston Matthews is sandwiched between the Hughes brothers, though the reigning Rocket Richard winner is having an injury-riddled down year.

Matthews’ teammates — Mitch Marner and William Nylander — are on the shortlist to lead the tournament and their respective nations, Canada and Sweden, in points.

Player	Odds to win
Connor McDavid	+750
Nathan MacKinnon	+900
Jack Hughes	+1,300
Auston Matthews	+1,500
Cale Makar	+1,700
Quinn Hughes	+1,700
Mitch Marner	+2,000
Matthew Tkachuk	+2,000
Jack Eichel	+2,000
Aleksander Barkov	+2,300
Sidney Crosby	+2,300
William Nylander	+2,300
Mikko Rantanen	+2,300

4 Nations Face-Off leading scorer odds: Team Canada best bet

Best bet: Connor McDavid (+250)

The favourite to win the tournament at +170 odds, Team Canada has a loaded, top-heavy roster but lacks the depth Team USA has.

McDavid, MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby and Cale Makar are some of the best players on the planet. But when you get to Canada’s third and fourth lines, trouble may occur.

Canada might have to rely on these guys when they’re in the thick of it. Let’s say it’s a 2-2 tie late in the third period against the Americans. Our neighbours to the South might have the luxury of rolling out all four lines, whereas Canada might be sending out fewer lines, with its best players double-shifting.

That’s where I like McDavid. He should receive ample ice time in this tournament. Albeit unrelated, I’d imagine the Game 7 loss in the Cup Finals fuels his fire in a competition like this.

Team USA best bet

Best bet: Quinn Hughes (+750)

Jack Hughes (+400) and Auston Matthews (+600) top the odds board for leading Team USA scorer.

Jack has been a rock for the Devils all season scoring 60 points in 53 games, and deserves to be at the top of this list.

When Matthews has been in the lineup, he’s elite. But with two different stints on the IR this season, some experts believe it might be in the reigning Rocket Richard recipient’s best interest to sit the tournament out.

And now to my best bet.

Quinn might be the only reason the Vancouver Canucks don’t sit in the basement of the Western Conference standings.

He leads the eighth-place Canucks in points, assists, time on ice and plus-minus.

The former Norris Trophy winner has proven to be one of the most gifted offensive defencemen in the NHL, racking up 391 points in 411 games.

I would imagine he quarterbacks Team USA’s No. 1 power-play unit, making this play all the more intriguing.

4 Nations Face-Off leading scorer odds: Finland best bet

Best bet: Mikko Rantanen (+300)

Rantanen leads all Finnish-born players in points in the NHL this season (65). He has a 14-point lead over new teammate Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes.

I believe this Finland roster is skilled enough that there might be a slight drop-off in Rantanen’s points production, but not enough that he can’t be this team’s best player offensively.

He is the most gifted pure goal scorer on this roster. I expect that to translate in this tournament, no matter who his linemates are.

Team Sweden best bet

Best bet: William Nylander (+450)

The Maple Leafs star forward finds the top of the odds board for Team Sweden’s highest points scorer.

Nylander added another level to his game during the 2021-22 NHL season. Since then, he paces a point-per-game (1.07) and has become a fan favourite in Toronto.

Team Sweden has some very talented playmakers like Filip Forsberg and Jesper Bratt but Nylander’s confidence level this season is what sets him apart from the other Swedes, in my eyes.

I’ll be looking forward to watching how he stacks up with some of the other nations’ top players.