The Canadiens and Maple Leafs will renew acquaintances in their customary spot on the NHL calendar.
Both clubs are coming off playoff appearances last spring, and they’re both dealing with lofty expectations after a busy offseason.
Toronto parted ways with 100-point man Mitch Marner in the summer, finally bringing the “Core Four” experiment to an end after countless playoff failures.
The Canadiens were busy bolstering their roster in the summer, adding Noah Dobson to the blue line, and acquiring Zachary Bolduc from the Blues to add more sizzle to their middle-six up front.
The Habs are a rising power in the NHL, but the Leafs are the established team, so it’s no wonder that Toronto is the betting favorite in its annual curtain-raiser against its eternal rival.
The arrival of Dobson signaled Montreal’s intent to go for broke in 2025-26, but he’s just one part of a young core that will have heaps of expectations on their shoulders this season.
Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki were dynamic last spring, leading the Habs on a surreal playoff push that caught everybody by surprise.
They were joined in the playoffs by Ivan Demidov, a high-ceiling Russian talent who is the clear betting favorite to win the Calder Trophy this season.
The supporting cast in Montreal also looks great on paper, with Zachary Bolduc joining a middle-six that features a blend of solid veterans and more young talent.
The Maple Leafs are at a very different part of their trajectory.
While Toronto is still a dangerous team, the Leafs squandered a massive opportunity by coming up short in the playoffs year after year, despite boasting a roster with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Marner.
Marner’s departure completely changes the fabric of the team, as he was one of the most dependable forwards in the NHL, playing in every situation and doing it with aplomb.
Toronto is hoping that it can replace some of Marner’s production by committee, but the chances of that happening feel slim.
The blue line is also a concern, as the Leafs went all in on size, but they’re severely lacking in puck-movers. If Morgan Rielly struggles again, they could be in deep trouble in their own zone.
The Habs have enough speed and skill to give the Leafs fits.
The Play: Canadiens (+130, FanDuel)
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.