{"id":322176,"date":"2025-01-18T10:48:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-18T15:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.northstargaming.ca\/admin\/nsgcms\/?p=322176"},"modified":"2025-01-18T10:48:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-18T15:48:44","slug":"maple-leafs-vs-canadiens-predictions-january-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.northstargaming.ca\/admin\/nsgcms\/maple-leafs-vs-canadiens-predictions-january-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions Jan. 18: Bet on Toronto, Matthews on Hockey Night in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens re-ignite their rivalry on Hockey Night in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pregame narrative:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions for Jan. 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Go to full NHL betting markets<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Bet: Maple Leafs moneyline (-143)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to give Montreal its flowers before explaining why I’m backing Toronto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

During this stretch, it’s given up just 2.0 goals per game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that game, Sam Montembeault turned away 48 shots in a career performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key stat:<\/strong> The Maple Leafs are 28-16-2 and have won five of their last six road games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick picks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Matthews to score (-120):<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • 6 G, 5 A in 7 GP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Scored in 5\/7 games<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Assuming he’s fully healthy \u2014 which to some may be a leap \u2014 we’re getting a guy who scored 69 goals last season at a fair price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Matthews is on a 58-goal pace this month, so I’m willing to make that leap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    NHL picks made at 10:16 a.m. ET on 01\/18\/25.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":322170,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sidebar_plugin_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[452,58],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-322176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-com","category-nhl","tag-nhl"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMaple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions and odds: Jan. 18 | NSB<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check out our Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens predictions for Jan. 18. 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