Published Oct 7, 5:03am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Oct 7, 5:03am ET
Credit: AI Generated
Updated Oct 7, 5:03am ET
An all-Canadian clash is set for the opening night of the NHL season, as the Maple Leafs welcome the Canadiens to the Scotiabank Arena.
There will be immediate pressure on Craig Berube after replacing Sheldon Keefe as the Leafs' head coach in 2024, as fans continue to crave a deep run in the playoffs.
The Canadiens progressed last season, and that progression could continue into the 2025-26 season. You can find the odds and our Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs NHL picks for night one here.
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|
|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +170 |
| Montreal Canadiens | -195 |
| Total | Canadiens | Maple Leafs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Wins | 300 | 150 | 127 |
| Total Goals | 1843 | 946 | 897 |
Fascinating action kicks off the NHL season at the Scotiabank Arena, as a new-look Maple Leafs welcome an emerging Canadiens to Toronto. Craig Berube will face huge pressure this season, as the Leafs will be among the leading contenders to go deep in the playoffs.
Toronto went 52-26-4 in the NHL last term, but their run was ended in the second round of the playoffs. Overall, their regular season form last term was very eye-catching, as they won the Atlantic Division championship for the first time since 2000.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens showed excellent progression under Martin St. Louis last term. The team progressed through to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, and increased hopes will be on the agenda this term for one of the youngest teams in the NHL.
There will be huge expectations ahead of the forthcoming season, and confidence within the camp should be high after winning four of their six pre-season games. A winning start could put them in a strong position for the season ahead.
There are rightly huge expectations and excitement surrounding the Canadiens this season, and they could be one of the dark horse selections to make a deep run in the playoffs.
An opening night victory in Toronto could set their tone for the season ahead, and we like their chances of being among the winning Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs picks.
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Pick
Montreal Canadiens (+130)
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