Since taking over as Montreal’s interim coach Dom Ducharme isn’t making much progress. Ducharme was the assistant to the fired Claude Julien before being promoted to head coach on February 24, 2021. Upon taking command, Ducharme was ordered to jumpstart a stalled campaign. So far, Ducharme has an NHL betting record of 5-3-5 behind the Habs bench. Compared to Montreal’s mark of 9-5-4 when Julien got the gas. Of course, the Canadiens roster remains the same. Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe can relate to Ducharme. He was named the Leafs coach during the 2019-20 season, replacing Mike Babcock. Keefe needed a year to get his system implemented. Ducharme hopes to get that chance.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
When: Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto Ontario
TV: NBCSN
NHL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Canadiens at Maple Leafs Bookmaker Wagering Analysis
The sportsbook handle should split Wednesday night for these popular teams. Live betting figures to get plenty of action.
Ducharme Yet to Develop Winning Hab-it for Montreal
Montreal has won three of their last four games as three of their previous five tilts stayed under the total. Montreal has an NHL betting odds record of 16-9-9 with 15-17 under the total. The Habs are in 4th place in the North Division. Montreal ranks 7th in the NHL for goal scoring and 14th for the power play. Defensively the Canadiens rank 11th for goals against and 24th for penalty killing.
Thus far, Ducharme faces the same problem as Julien before his firing. Goaltender Carey Price is not the dominant goalie that once carried the Canadiens. Price has a .902 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average. Those numbers are far below Price at his peak.
Offensively, right wing Tyler Toffoli leads the Canadiens with 19 goals, nine assists, and a plus-nine. Toffoli has four goals in his last four games.
M&M Boys Light Up the Leafs
Toronto has bossed the cashier’s cage recently after a mid-March slump. The Maple Leafs have won five of their last six games as five of those six tilts also went under the total. NHL metrics show Toronto 4th for goal scoring and 6th for the power play. While defensively, the Maple Leafs rank 9th for goals against and 21st for the penalty kill. Toronto leads the Edmonton Oilers by four points for first place in the North Division.
Naturally, Toronto boasts two of the game’s elite centers. Mitchell Marner and Auston Matthews give the Maple Leafs a significant advantage. Consider that Marner has compiled 13 goals, 33 assists, and a plus-18. In comparison, Matthews adds 24 goals, 18 assists, and a plus-14.
Number one goaltender Frederik Andersen remains out until mid-April. But backup Jack Campbell has come up big. Campbell brings a .951 save percentage, 1.35 goals against average, and 8-0 record.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs Against the Spread
Montreal is 3-8 in their last 11 hockey betting away games. Only two of the Habs last eight road tilts went over the total. Toronto is 4-5 in their previous nine games on home ice. Five of the Leafs last seven home games went over the total
Toronto has won three of their last four games against Montreal. These rivals went under the total in two of their previous three meetings. However, Montreal has won two of their last three visits to Toronto. Three of the previous four in this series at TO went over the total.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs Bookmaker Free Pick
In this situation, the Maple Leafs have too much offensive firepower and superior goaltending. As mentioned earlier, Toronto is in top form. Montreal is too inconsistent.
Canadiens at Maple Leafs Bookmaker Best Bet: Toronto Maple Leafs
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