Montreal Canadiens (4-8-2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (8-5-2)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m., Scotiabank Arena
TV: Sportsnet, CBC Radio: The Fan 590
Odds: Canadiens +172, Maple Leafs -210
The buzz
It’s no fun to be a member of the Montreal Canadiens right now. With 10 points, the Canadiens have more than just one other National Hockey League team, the 32nd-place Nashville Predators, who have nine. And before games on Friday, the Canadiens’ goal differential of minus-20 was tied with San Jose for worst in the league … Montreal has lost five in a row and in six road games it has one win, a 4-3 decision in Philadelphia against the Flyers on Oct. 27 … The Canadiens have allowed 42 goals at five-on-five, the second-most in the NHL … Despite the Canadiens’ continued failings, coach Martin St. Louis apparently is being given a long leash to eventually get it right … Yes, the Canadiens beat the Leafs 1-0 on Oct. 9 in the season opener for both teams, but keep in mind that Toronto dominated, outshooting Montreal 40-18 at five-on-five. The Leafs had 18 high-danger scoring chances to the Canadiens’ three, and if not for the goaltending of Samuel Montembeault, would have won in a walk … The Leafs have won their past eight home games against the Canadiens, going back to Feb. 13, 2021, when Montreal won 2-1 at SBA.
The news
Leafs coach Craig Berube is sticking with the same lineup that was solid in the win against Detroit on Friday, with one change: Goalie Joseph Woll will start in net. It will be Woll’s fourth start of the season and first in a week. He won his only previous career start against the Canadiens … Montembeault gets the start in goal for Montreal. Including his shutout in October, the 28-year-old is 3-4-0 in his career versus the Leafs with a .907 save percentage.
The quote
“There’s no better time to end the (Canadiens’ five-game losing) streak than Saturday night in this rink against this team. It’s a big one for us.”
— Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj
The poll
Which of four annual bottom feeders in the Atlantic Division do you think will be the first team to make the playoffs?
1. Montreal
2. Detroit
3. Buffalo
4. Ottawa
The projected Leafs lineup
Forwards
Matthew Knies-Max Domi-Mitch Marner
Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Pontus Holmberg-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
The injuries
MTL: F Patrik Laine (knee), D David Reinbacher (knee), F Rafael Harvey-Pinard (leg); TOR: C Auston Matthews (upper body), F Calle Jarnkrok (lower body), D Dakota Mermis (jaw); D Jani Hakanpaa (knee) is on an LTIR conditioning loan with the Toronto Marlies.
The prediction
The Leafs carry over their fine defensive play and win again. Make the final 5-1 Toronto.
The vibe: