GAMEDAY: Maple Leafs look to avenge season-opening loss

Article content material

Montreal Canadiens (4-8-2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (8-5-2)

Article content material

When: Saturday, 7 p.m., Scotiabank Enviornment

TV: Sportsnet, CBC Radio: The Fan 590

Odds: Canadiens +172, Maple Leafs -210

The thrill

It’s no enjoyable to be a member of the Montreal Canadiens proper now. With 10 factors, the Canadiens have greater than only one different Nationwide Hockey League workforce, the Thirty second-place Nashville Predators, who’ve 9. And earlier than video games on Friday, the Canadiens’ aim differential of minus-20 was tied with San Jose for worst within the league … Montreal has misplaced 5 in a row and in six highway video games it has one win, a 4-3 resolution in Philadelphia in opposition to the Flyers on Oct. 27 … The Canadiens have allowed 42 objectives at five-on-five, the second-most within the NHL … Regardless of the Canadiens’ continued failings, coach Martin St. Louis apparently is being given a protracted leash to ultimately get it proper … Sure, the Canadiens beat the Leafs 1-0 on Oct. 9 within the season opener for each groups, however remember that Toronto dominated, outshooting Montreal 40-18 at five-on-five. The Leafs had 18 high-danger scoring probabilities to the Canadiens’ three, and if not for the goaltending of Samuel Montembeault, would have received in a stroll … The Leafs have received their previous eight dwelling video games in opposition to the Canadiens, going again to Feb. 13, 2021, when Montreal received 2-1 at SBA.

Article content material

Article content material

The information

Leafs coach Craig Berube is sticking with the identical lineup that was strong within the win in opposition to Detroit on Friday, with one change: Goalie Joseph Woll will begin in web. It will likely be Woll’s fourth begin of the season and first in every week. He received his solely earlier profession begin in opposition to the Canadiens … Montembeault will get the beginning in aim for Montreal. Together with his shutout in October, the 28-year-old is 3-4-0 in his profession versus the Leafs with a .907 save proportion.

We apologize, however this video has didn’t load.

Play Video

The quote

“There’s no higher time to finish the (Canadiens’ five-game dropping) streak than Saturday evening on this rink in opposition to this workforce. It’s a giant one for us.”

— Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj

The ballot

Which of 4 annual backside feeders within the Atlantic Division do you assume would be the first workforce to make the playoffs?

Article content material

1. Montreal

2. Detroit

3. Buffalo

4. Ottawa

The projected Leafs lineup

Forwards

Matthew Knies-Max Domi-Mitch Marner

Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-William Nylander

Bobby McMann-Pontus Holmberg-Nick Robertson

Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves

Defence

Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev

Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins

Purpose

Joseph Woll

Anthony Stolarz

The accidents

MTL: F Patrik Laine (knee), D David Reinbacher (knee), F Rafael Harvey-Pinard (leg); TOR: C Auston Matthews (higher physique), F Calle Jarnkrok (decrease physique), D Dakota Mermis (jaw); D Jani Hakanpaa (knee) is on an LTIR conditioning mortgage with the Toronto Marlies.

The prediction

The Leafs carry over their superb defensive play and win once more. Make the ultimate 5-1 Toronto.

The vibe:

Article content material

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

Article content material