The Toronto Maple Leafs play their second game in as many nights against the Montreal Canadiens.
The pregame narrative: The Canadiens are amongst the NHL’s worst defensive teams and I expect Mitch Marner to be productive in Auston Matthews’ absence. Toronto is on a roll right now, as well, so I’m backing them on the puck line at plus money.
Check out our Maple Leafs picks vs. Canadiens for the game on Nov. 9.
Maple Leafs picks vs. Canadiens
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Best Bet: Marner over 2.5 shots (-112)
Marner can be very hit-or-miss against this line. He has 18 points in 15 games this season but that only includes three goals on 2.6 shots per game.
However, Montreal provides an intriguing matchup for opposing forwards.
The Canadiens allow the sixth most shots per game (31.8) in the NHL and if we remember, the Leafs peppered the Habs with 48 shots despite being shut out, 1-0, earlier this season.
Toronto’s top winger cleared this line with three shots against the Detroit Red Wings yesterday and I believe there will be an uptick tonight.
Key stat: Marner had six shots on opening night vs. the Canadiens.
Quick picks
Leafs -1.5 (+125): Sam Montembeault and the Habs started the season exceptionally well, but it’s gone south since then.
Since Montembeault’s otherworldly performance on opening night, the goalie has come back down to earth and now owns a .892 SV% and 3.46 GAA for the season.
The Quebec native has allowed four or more goals in four of 10 starts this season. He is not the confirmed starter but this is a team problem and not an individual one.
Backup Cayden Primeau hasn’t been any better (.861 SV%, 4.39 GAA) and the Canadiens allow the most goals against per game (4.07) in the league.
Additionally, the Leafs are rolling right now, winning four of their last six games and covering this puck line in each victory.
NHL picks made at 9:40 a.m. ET on 11/09/24.
Spencer is a true sports junkie. A graduate of the Sports Journalism program at Centennial College, he first joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2023. He is now a contributing writer. He loves finding the edge to bet on in all sports but has a deep passion for the NBA and UFC. Previous stops include Sportsnet.