Free Picks: Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

It wouldn’t be a new season without two original 6 rivalries facing off. Toronto vs. Montreal is always a marquee battle and a great way to start the shortened 2021 campaign. Both the Maple Leafs and Canadiens are icing players in a new environment as well, who are hoping to make an immediate impact. Featuring a ton of firepower, expect goals to be plentiful in this contest.

Everyone loves when the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens go head-to-head.

One of the fiercest rivalries in the game opens up the NHL season and I think this is going to be a high-scoring affair.

This opening night contest will also feature the new-look Montreal Canadiens. Tyler Toffoli, Corey Perry, and Josh Anderson are new faces in Montreal to watch as Max Domi is no longer in the red, white and blue.

As for the Leafs, they made a number of interesting moves to help get them reach the next level. Veteran Joe Thornton is on the top-line with Marner and Matthews, while Wayne Simmonds joins the 4th line with Jason Spezza.

What leads me to believe this will be a high-scoring affair is history. Of course, we have a ton of data to go through between these franchises, but in recent games, we have seen a ton of goals.

Their last contest ended in a 2-1 Overtime victory, but since October 3, 2018, the teams have combined for 5 goals or more in each contest.

Toronto and Montreal always have the entertainment factor and everyone loves high-scoring games. Since this will be the first game for both teams in a competitive environment since the NHL playoff bubble, I expect this to be a little sloppy.

Carey Price has the ability to be a brick wall, but I think Price and Frederik Andersen are going to face an abundance of shots.

Last season, Toronto and Montreal were two of the worst defensive teams in the league in terms of goals against per game. The Habs allowed 221 goals which was 23rd in the NHL, while the Leafs allowed 227 goals, good for 27th in the NHL.

Toronto was a high-scoring team last season and Montreal was mediocre in the offensive scoring categories. Montreal and Toronto both seemed to have improved on offense, but not defense, so I think this will be a high-scoring game that favors the over in total goals.

• Toronto are 3-6 SU in last 9 games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 5 games at home.
• Montreal are 1-4 SU in last 5 playing against Toronto on the road.
• Montreal are 2-4 SU in last 6 games.