Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, October 8, 2025
We have an Atlantic Division NHL matchup to kick off the season as the Montreal Canadiens are on the road to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday evening inside the Scotiabank Arena for our Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs prediction. The Canadiens (40-31-11, 91 points) finished fifth in the Atlantic Division, but snuck in as the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot and lost in the opening round to the Washington Capitals. The Maple Leafs (56-26-4, 108 points) were first in the Atlantic Division and lost in the second round of the playoffs in seven games to the Florida Panthers. Net the value: NHL predictions for Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs with trends that matter.
Canadiens Looking to Take Steps Forward
The Montreal Canadiens were able to step up last season in a great season after entering December with one of the worst records. However, they were able to capture the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot and won a game in the opening round in a lopsided series. The team added some solid players like goalie Kaapo Kahkonen and left winger Zachary Bolduc. However, they lost guys like goalie Cayden Primeau (Carolina) and right winger Emil Heineman (NY Islanders).
The Montreal Canadiens finished last season 17th in the NHL with 243 goals scored. Center Nick Suzuki had a strong 2024-25 season as he has recorded 89 points (30 goals, 59 assists) and recorded a pair of goals in his last five playoff games. Their power play has been below the league average as they converted on 36-of-205 (17.56 percent) of their attempts so this will be something to keep an eye on.
Sam Montembeault is expected to be in the net for this game and he was 31-24-7 last season with 2.82 goals allowed per game and a .902 save percentage. As a team, Montreal ranked 22nd in hockey with 261 goals allowed. They were better than the league average in terms of killing penalties as they have killed 208-of-257 (80.93 percent) of them.
Injury Report for Montreal
- Defenseman David Reinbacher: Hand (OUT)
- Defenseman William Trudeau: Undisclosed (OUT)
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Maple Leafs Looking to Start the Season Off Strong
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a position where they are looking to step up in coach Craig Berube’s second season with the team after winning the Atlantic Division but losing in the Eastern Conference Second Round. The biggest question will be how the team replaces losing Mitch Marner. With the addition of Matias Maccelli as well as Auston Matthews being healthy to begin the season, there is intrigue of the Maple Leafs playing without one of the top players in the sport.
The Toronto Maple Leafs ranked seventh in the NHL with 267 goals scored and right winger William Nylander scored the most points for any returning player for the team as he had 84 points (45 goals, 39 assists) to wrap up the season, while adding 15 in 13 postseason games. They finished the season better than the league average on the power play as they are 54-for-218 (24.77 percent) in those situations.
Anthony Stolarz will be between the pipes for this game for the Maple Leafs and was 21-8-3 with a .926 save percentage and 2.14 goals allowed per game last season. He lost in the net last time out against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday as he allowed three goals on 18 shot attempts. Toronto was eighth in the sport with 229 goals allowed so far. They were slightly below the league average at killing penalties as they killed 183-of-235 (77.87 percent) during last season..
Injury Report for Toronto
- Center Scott Laughton: Lower Body (OUT)
- Defenseman Marshall Rifai: Wrist (OUT)
- Center Nicolas Roy: Lower Body (OUT)
- Goalie Joseph Woll: Personal (OUT)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Pick
Spread Pick for Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs -165 (5 units)
When looking at how these teams were able to situate themselves in the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still leaps and bounds better than the Montreal Canadiens. Joseph Woll was one of the game’s best goalies last season and should be able to play at a good level to begin the season. This Montreal team is not as good as their record indicated a year ago and has a lot of players who still need to prove themselves this season as legitimate weapons. Toronto has options to score the puck, even with 100+ points gone from the lineup with Marner gone, and a solid defense to help them be successful. Expect the Maple Leafs to come out swinging and finding a way to win their first game after losing Mitch Marner here.
Over/Under Pick for Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs
- OVER 5.5 (5 units)
These offenses were able to play well, and the goaltenders are going to take a bit of a step back from last season. The Maple Leafs allowed 13 goals in their final three preseason games so their defense enters with some question marks. The Canadiens were able to score the puck at a good level and should be able to score at a good level. All in all, go with OVER 5.5 GOALS to be scored in the opening game of the season.
