Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 10-03-2018 in NHL
NHL Previews 2nd October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/02/2018
Expectations are sky-high for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season after the club satiated its rabid fan base by signing superstar John Tavares to a seven-year, $77 million blockbuster free-agent contract. The 28-year-old Ontario native is expected to provide a potent punch on the power play with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews for the Maple Leafs, who open the season Wednesday at home against the Original Six-rival Montreal Canadiens.
"There is no question, to win the Stanley Cup," Tavares told the Toronto Sun of his goal heading into his 10th NHL season. "... We believe we have a really good group here. We start with (Wednesday). All 82 games mean the same, and we focus on where we want to get to one step at a time." Tavares recorded 37 goals and 84 points with the New York Islanders in 2017-18 and offsets the loss of a team-best 36 goals by James van Riemsdyk (Philadelphia) for Toronto, which set club records for overall wins (49) and home victories (29) before falling to Boston in the first round. Montreal finished 29th out of 31 teams in goals last season and shuffled five-time 30-goal scorer Max Pacioretty (Vegas) and leading power-play contributor Alex Galchenyuk (Arizona) out of town. Brendan Gallagher (career-high 31 goals and 54 points) and Tomas Tatar -- who was acquired in the Pacioretty deal -- will be tasked with igniting a spark on offense.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, RDS
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (2017-18: 29-40-13, 6TH IN ATLANTIC): With Pacioretty playing in Sin City, Shea Weber will wear the "C" for his second NHL team after being named the 30th captain of the franchise this week. The 33-year-old Weber, who served as the captain of Nashville from 2010-16, will be sidelined until at least December as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. Jordie Benn, Jeff Petry and others will attempt to stand up in his absence for a Canadiens team that didn't provide much comfort for former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Carey Price (16-26-7, 3.11 goals-against average), who is coming off his worst statistical season as an NHL starter.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (2017-18: 49-26-7, 3RD IN ATLANTIC): While all eyes likely will be fixated on Toronto's high-octane offense, a generous defense kept Frederik Andersen busy as the 29-year-old Dane faced 2,211 shots in 66 games. Andersen thrived with the busy workload, posting a franchise record in wins (38) to go along with a 2.81 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and five shutouts last season. Defenseman Morgan Rielly provides an offensive punch with 52 points, however a suspect corps of blue-liners has been a nagging question in Toronto. "I am probably more bullish on our defense than others. ... The key for us is that we are continuing to make plays from the back end and can move the pucks to our forwards," general manager Kyle Dubas said.
OVERTIME
1. Matthews scored five goals and set up one other in three games versus the Canadiens last season.
2. Tatar recorded two goals and an assist in three meetings with the Maple Leafs in 2017-18.
3. Toronto boasted the league's second-best power play at 25.0 percent last season while Montreal finished 30th on the penalty kill (74.1).
PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 5, Canadiens 2
NHL Previews 2nd October 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 10/02/2018
Expectations are sky-high for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season after the club satiated its rabid fan base by signing superstar John Tavares to a seven-year, $77 million blockbuster free-agent contract. The 28-year-old Ontario native is expected to provide a potent punch on the power play with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews for the Maple Leafs, who open the season Wednesday at home against the Original Six-rival Montreal Canadiens.
"There is no question, to win the Stanley Cup," Tavares told the Toronto Sun of his goal heading into his 10th NHL season. "... We believe we have a really good group here. We start with (Wednesday). All 82 games mean the same, and we focus on where we want to get to one step at a time." Tavares recorded 37 goals and 84 points with the New York Islanders in 2017-18 and offsets the loss of a team-best 36 goals by James van Riemsdyk (Philadelphia) for Toronto, which set club records for overall wins (49) and home victories (29) before falling to Boston in the first round. Montreal finished 29th out of 31 teams in goals last season and shuffled five-time 30-goal scorer Max Pacioretty (Vegas) and leading power-play contributor Alex Galchenyuk (Arizona) out of town. Brendan Gallagher (career-high 31 goals and 54 points) and Tomas Tatar -- who was acquired in the Pacioretty deal -- will be tasked with igniting a spark on offense.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, RDS
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (2017-18: 29-40-13, 6TH IN ATLANTIC): With Pacioretty playing in Sin City, Shea Weber will wear the "C" for his second NHL team after being named the 30th captain of the franchise this week. The 33-year-old Weber, who served as the captain of Nashville from 2010-16, will be sidelined until at least December as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. Jordie Benn, Jeff Petry and others will attempt to stand up in his absence for a Canadiens team that didn't provide much comfort for former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Carey Price (16-26-7, 3.11 goals-against average), who is coming off his worst statistical season as an NHL starter.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (2017-18: 49-26-7, 3RD IN ATLANTIC): While all eyes likely will be fixated on Toronto's high-octane offense, a generous defense kept Frederik Andersen busy as the 29-year-old Dane faced 2,211 shots in 66 games. Andersen thrived with the busy workload, posting a franchise record in wins (38) to go along with a 2.81 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and five shutouts last season. Defenseman Morgan Rielly provides an offensive punch with 52 points, however a suspect corps of blue-liners has been a nagging question in Toronto. "I am probably more bullish on our defense than others. ... The key for us is that we are continuing to make plays from the back end and can move the pucks to our forwards," general manager Kyle Dubas said.
OVERTIME
1. Matthews scored five goals and set up one other in three games versus the Canadiens last season.
2. Tatar recorded two goals and an assist in three meetings with the Maple Leafs in 2017-18.
3. Toronto boasted the league's second-best power play at 25.0 percent last season while Montreal finished 30th on the penalty kill (74.1).
PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 5, Canadiens 2