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Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction: 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Bet Picks Preview

Last Updated: May 16, 2021

Here are The Game Day’s Maple Leafs vs Canadiens prediction and bets for the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, including our Toronto-Montreal Round 1 series preview.

In case you missed it: Check out our 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs Power Rankings and 2021 Stanley Cup Winner Odds and Best Bets.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction: 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Bet Picks Preview

Toronto Maple Leafs Season Recap

The Toronto Maple Leafs, a perennial powerhouse in the NHL, will once again be front and center in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ending the season with a +39 goal differential and 35-14 overall record with seven overtime losses. the Maple Leafs are amongst the class of the league. They ended the season on a 7-1-2 stretch with their final two games of the season coming by way of overtime loss. This team knows how to fight, regardless.

The Maple Leafs got superstar production from two young guns in right wing Mitch Marner and center Auston Matthews. Marner led the team with 67 points, but Matthews led the league by a wide margin with 41 goals — Connor McDavid was second with 33. Veteran center John Tavares is still a star in this league as he posted 50 points this season.

The Maple Leafs had some uncertainty with their goalies this season as four men manned the net at different points in the season. The two main guys for the Leafs were Jack Campbell (2.15 goals allowed) and Frederik Andersen (.895 save percentage). This goalie situation will be something to monitor as it is still an uncertain battle with no decided winner.

Montreal Canadiens Season Recap

The Montreal Canadiens enter the playoffs as the worst team in the bracket statistically, marred by just 59 points and a minus-9 goal differential. This team was barely over .500 this season at 24-21-11, but will nevertheless get a chance at a Stanley Cup.

Veteran center Tyler Toffoli led the team with both 28 goals and 44 points this season and got some strong support from veteran defenseman Jeff Petry and young center Nick Suzuki, who had 42 and 41 points, respectively.

The Canadiens wound up with a sort of goalie tandem this season between Carey Price and Jake Allen. Allen has routinely lightened the load up for Price all season and they both held similar numbers, meaning the Canadiens will not lose a step with either of them. Price held a .901 save percentage and 2.64 goals allowed mark while Allen posted a .907 save percentage and allowed 2.68 goals per game — almost identical.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens Matchup

This series pits one of the league’s best against a scrappy team that has a lot to fight for. The Maple Leafs are a top-flight squad and the Canadiens are still figuring it out as a unit. The Canadiens are in this fight far more than people think they are, but I strongly believe the Maple Leafs will wind up victorious in this one.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction & Bet Pick

Maple Leafs vs Canadiens Series Prediction

Toronto Maple Leafs in 5 games

Maple Leafs vs Canadiens Bet Pick

Toronto Maple Leafs series spread -1.5 (-125) at BetMGM

BetMGM has a welcome offer for new players: a Risk-Free Bet of up to $600. Sign up today, claim this promotion, and place 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs bets and more 2021 NHL Playoff futures.

Author

Daniel Preciado

Daniel Preciado is a current student at Syracuse University in the sports analytics program where he is minoring in economics. He is a yearly participant in numerous high-stakes fantasy leagues across multiple sports. Prior to joining The Game Day, Daniel Preciado has written for The Action Network, FanSided, and Fantrax.

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