Games between Montreal and Toronto are much livelier when both teams are playing well—and that's certainly the case heading into the latest chapter of their storied NHL rivalry.
NHL betting fans are treated to the Maple Leafs and Canadiens doing battle Wednesday night at Bell Centre in the opener of a home-and-home series (though the Canadiens have a game in-between). Toronto is riding high atop the North Division following a three-game sweep of the visiting Vancouver Canucks, while the Canadiens find themselves just three points off the pace with wins in six of their last eight games. They'll also be seeking some revenge here after falling 5-4 in overtime to the Leafs in the season opener.
These are our favorite NHL free picks and predictions for Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens on February 10.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
Injuries
Maple Leafs: Joe Thornton F (Out), Wayne Simmonds F (Out), Nicholas Robertson F (Out), Travis Dermott D (Probable), G Jack Campbell (Out).
Canadiens: Joel Armia F (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Montreal has won four of the previous five head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens.
NHL Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonThis game opened a -108 pick 'em at FanDuel and is at Maple Leafs -110/Canadiens -106 as of 4:15 p.m. ET. Moneyline ticket count and cash are both running 2/1 on Toronto. The total opened 6.5 flat (-110 on O/U), and the Under is now priced at -115 on two-way action. The Over is getting 54 percent of tickets/52 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameMoneyline Pick
It might be difficult to like the Canadiens here given how ordinary they looked against Ottawa, settling for a split with the worst team in the division while finishing even in goal differential. That's especially true when you measure their recent performance up against those of the Leafs, who rolled past the Canucks – while outscoring them by a 15-5 margin – in the three-game series.
The first game between these teams was an incredibly even-matched affair, though the Canadiens did finish with a significant edge in hits. Montreal comes in at nearly full health, while the Leafs will be without gritty winger Wayne Simmonds and veteran center Joe Thornton, among others. Simmonds will be missed, having scored five goals through the first 12 games.
These teams are closer than you might think from a depth and talent perspective—and with good health and home ice on their side, the Canadiens are worth a look here.
PREDICTION: Canadiens (-115)
Over/Under Pick
On one hand, these teams sure know how to light up the scoreboard against one another. They've combined for 7+ goals in six of their previous seven meetings dating back to October 2019—and they haven't wasted any time getting the party started, with all six of those Overs seeing three combined first-period goals scored.
On the flip side, both teams have tightened things up defensively since their season opener. The Maple Leafs have allowed three or fewer goals in 10 of their past 11 games, while the Canadiens are on an eight-game stretch of allowing three or fewer. Look for both sides to lean on the defense to get the job done Wednesday, which should make the Under the superior option.
PREDICTION: Under 6.5 (-110)
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens Betting Card
- Canadiens (-115)
- Under 6.5 (-110)
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