Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens: Auston Matthews Set to Shine in Upcoming Clash

The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up to face their historic rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, in what promises to be an electrifying NHL season opener. With both teams looking to set the tone for the season, this matchup at Scotiabank Arena is one that fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating.

First Period

As the puck drops for the first period, all eyes will be on Auston Matthews, who is expected to lead the charge for the Leafs. The betting odds currently favor Toronto across various sportsbooks. For instance, MGM lists the Leafs at -160 on the moneyline, indicating a strong belief in their ability to secure a win. Meanwhile, FanDuel has slightly adjusted its odds to -176 for Toronto, reflecting confidence in their home-ice advantage.

The Canadiens come into this game as underdogs with odds of +135 at MGM and +146 at FanDuel. Despite these numbers, Montreal's resilience and competitive spirit cannot be underestimated. The opening period will likely see both teams testing each other's defenses while trying to establish early dominance.

Second Period

Moving into the second period, expect strategic adjustments from both benches as they look to capitalize on any weaknesses exposed in the first 20 minutes. The total goals line is set at 5.5 across most platforms like DraftKings and Bet365.US.NJ with an over/under of -125/+105 respectively. This suggests a moderately high-scoring affair could unfold if offensive stars like Matthews and John Tavares find their rhythm.

Betting trends indicate a slight upward movement in favor of Toronto when it comes to puck line bets. PointsBet offers +150 for Toronto covering a -1.5 spread, which has seen some fluctuation but remains an attractive option for those confident in a decisive Leafs victory.

Third Period

In what could be a nail-biting third period, both teams will likely push hard to secure crucial points from this divisional clash. The draw no bet market sees Toronto at -200 via PointsBet, underscoring their perceived edge should the game remain tight heading into overtime scenarios.

For those interested in double chance bets, BetRivers provides odds of -294 for either a home win or draw outcome—a safe play considering Toronto's solid track record against Montreal on home ice.

As we look ahead to this thrilling encounter between two storied franchises, fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ on October 8th at 7:00 PM ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. With so much at stake right out of the gate, don't miss out on placing your bets based on these insights and join us as we witness another chapter unfold in this legendary rivalry.

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