Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, 2/18/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+285) Maple Leafs (-365)

Scotiabank Arena is the site where the Toronto Maple Leafs (33-14-8) will compete against the Montreal Canadiens (23-28-4) on Saturday. The odds on this game have the Canadiens at +285 while the Maple Leafs open at -365. The betting total is set at 7.

The Montreal Canadiens will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 6-2 defeat to the Hurricanes in their previous contest . Montreal tallied 6 penalty mins for this game. In addition, they had 3 power play opportunities and were able to score 1 goal. The Canadiens offense left a lot to be desired in the loss. In the matchup, they scored on 2 of the 22 shots they put on net.

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Pertaining to their scoring, the Montreal Canadiens have notched 146 goals (27th in hockey) on the season and have allowed 200. For the season, they have racked up 50 points and their points percentage sits at .455. Montreal has tallied 171 power play chances and they have notched 29 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 16.96%. When playing at even strength, the Canadiens have conceded 149 goals while having 117 on offense. Montreal has attempted 1,534 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.5%. The Canadiens thus far have had 1,857 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .892. Montreal Canadiens opponents have amassed 195 power play opportunities (4th in the league) and have tallied 51 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Jake Allen. Allen has been involved in 384 games throughout his professional hockey career. He has amassed a mark of 180-143-37 and he was named the starter in 364 games. The opposition has racked up 961 goals against Allen in his professional hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.67. Allen has seen 10,627 shot attempts against him and he has 9,666 saves. He has a save percentage of .910 during his 21,618 minutes played. Over the course of his time in hockey, Allen has 191 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .525.

In their last contest, Toronto faced the Blackhawks in a game where the Maple Leafs took home the win by a mark of 5-2. They had 3 chances on the power play in this contest but weren't able to score a goal. The Maple Leafs recorded 5 goals of the 42 shots on goal they took.

Toronto has taken 1,770 shots (10th in the league) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.51%, while allowing their opponents 1,594 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 80.59% on the other teams 170 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.8%. They have a tally of 172 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 25.00%. The Maple Leafs have earned 143 goals at even strength and 43 goals (8th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 146 goals to be scored by of a combination of 113 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this year, the Toronto Maple Leafs have earned a total of 186 goals, 74 points, and a points percentage of .673.

Across the rink you are likely to see Ilya Samsonov defending the net. He has gathered 2,785 saves out of 3,074 shots taken against him, which gives him a save % of .906. Samsonov has a lifetime record of 71-28-10 and has been in net for 116 contests. He has started in 105 games and his ice time sits at 6,448 mins. Samsonov's rate of quality starts comes out to 47.6% and he has made 50 quality starts in his NHL career. The opposition is averaging 2.69 goals per game and he has allowed 289 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+285)

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