Before us is the deciding game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs as the series heads towards game 7. Twice the Canadiens have defied the NHL odds, pressing their agenda against the odds in the playoffs to reach the conclusive final game of the best-of-seven series. Equally, twice the Maple Leafs have failed to put away their North Division rivals in the first round of the playoffs when they were in the driver’s seat.
So, who will triumph when the pair collide at the Scotiabank Arena on Monday and advance into the second round of the playoffs all the while flying the Canadian flag high in the postseason? Predictably, odds makers are favouring the Maple Leafs who will have home advantage for game 7, but bettors might fancy the plucky Canadiens who have won two games in a row to force this decisive game 7.
Monday, May 31, 2021 – 7:00 PM EDT at Scotiabank Arena
When the Canadiens were down 1-3 in the series, they were all but written off in sports betting markets. The Maples Leafs were the team to beat in the series from the onset given they’d clinched the North Division title at the conclusion of the regular season. However, the Canadiens proved their mettle by winning game 5 and 6 to knot up the series 3-3 and force a decisive game 7.
The Canadiens beat the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime at the Bell Centre on Saturday despite blowing a two-goal lead. After two scoreless periods, the Canadiens finally broke the deadlock in the third period when Corey Perry scored at 5:26 of the third period. Toronto challenged the score for goaltender interference but it was upheld which resulted in a Montreal power play for delay of game.
Things went quickly awry for Toronto as on the power play Toronto forward Mitchell Marner received a delay of game penalty when he sent the puck flying over the glass. As a result, Montreal got a 5-on-3 advantage and Toffoli scored to lift the Canadiens up 2-0.
Less than five minutes later though the Maple Leafs scored to cut the lead to a goal and with just 3:11 left on the clock the Maple Leafs came up with a second goal to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Extra time was a nervy affair given all that was on the line for both teams. However, it didn’t take long for the game to be decided as at 15:15 in overtime Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored for the Canadiens to clinch the pivotal win for the hosts. Thus, they staved off elimination for a second straight game.
Twice the Leafs were in a pole position to advance into the second round of the playoffs but each time they failed at the time of asking. How that’s going to impact confidence remains to be seen but oddsmakers across multiple sports betting sites are showing extreme confidence in their chances to get the job done finally in game 7.
Well, it’s their last chance really to do it and underscore the favourable outlook for their playoff prospects as the North Division champions. Otherwise, their postseason bid will be over prematurely and they’ll have to suffer the ignominy of failing to live up to expectations.
The Maple Leafs have lost their way since going up 3-1 in the series. Although they dropped the first game, they recovered nicely to win three on the trot. However, the last two games were somewhat disappointing as the Maple Leafs showed a lack of intensity when it mattered most.
For a second game in a row, the Leafs lost in overtime. In game 5, the winning game came in a flash, barely a minute into overtime. In game 6, it came less than five minutes into overtime. Both times the Maple Leafs did the hard graft to get back into the game and send it into overtime only to take their eye off the prize when it mattered the most.
From the beginning, this series was cornered with the Toronto Maple Leafs across multiple top sportsbooks. They were the best team in the North Division and the team to beat in the eyes of many bettors. Fast forward through the first round of the playoffs: the Maple Leafs have their backs up against the wall in no uncertain terms.
The Canadiens have the momentum now while the Maple Leafs seem to have lost the plot. Granted the series was deemed to be for the Maple Leafs to win at the start, but really it’s anybody’s game now. More so than the NHL odds might suggest. The Maple Leafs have home-ice advantage for game 7, which could play a factor in the end. However, the Canadiens seem to want it more right now the way they are going after it.
NHL Pick: Montreal Canadiens (+165) with Betonline (visit our BetOnline Review)