Toronto Maple Leafs (9-9-3, 21 Pts) at Montreal Canadiens (10-7-3, 23 Pts)

Venue: Bell Centre
Date: Saturday, November 22
Time: 7:00 pm EST
TV: ESPN+ / Sportsnet
Radio:
Toronto – SN 590
Montreal – TSN 690

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:

Toronto +1.5 ML -218
Montreal -1.5 ML +180
O/U 6.5

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Toronto Maple Leafs News & Notes:

The Toronto Maple Leafs begin a crucial six-game road trip tonight, starting against their rival, the Canadiens. As a divisional game tonight is important for both teams, as the Atlantic Division is currently wide open. The Leafs have been playing slightly better as of late, with a 1-1-2 record in their last four games. Still, that’s not good enough, but the Leafs are looking to turn things around as they try to stabilize their defense, with a highly injured lineup.

Montreal Canadiens News & Notes:

After a hot start to the season, the Canadiens have stagnated and will look to find their way back into the win column after five consecutive losses, including a 7-0 and 8-4 loss in that time period. The Canadiens have also had their fair share of injuries this season, but will look to keep the puck out of their net, while capitalizing on their chances against Toronto tonight.

Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines

Nylander-Tavares-Jarnkrok
McMann-Domi-Robertson
Lorentz-Laughton-Cowan
Blais-Joshua-Maccelli

Rielly-Ekman Larsson
Benoit-McCabe
Mermis-Stecher

Woll
Hildeby

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Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines

Caufield-Suzuki-Bolduc
Slafkovsky-Kapanen-Demidov
Xhekaj-Evans-Anderson
Davidson-Veleno-Gallagher

Matheson-Dobson
Struble-Hutson
Xhekaj-Carrier

Dobes
Montembeault

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Players To Watch:

Toronto Maple Leafs

John Tavares has been a constant for a Toronto team that has limited consistency from their players this season. With 12 goals and 27 points in the first 21 games of the season, Tavares is on pace for career highs, just months after signing a team-friendly deal to remain with his childhood Leafs. Tavares has shown up with multiple centres down due to injury and has been relied on heavily by Berube throughout the season so far. Look for Tavares to keep that up tonight as the Leafs push for two points against one of their divisional rivals.

Montreal Canadiens

Arber Xhekaj has been a success story for the Canadiens and has received a lot of attention for his story of going from a Costco employee all the way to a defender many fear in the NHL, as he’s shown a willingness to scrap with almost anyone. Well, tonight the focus isn’t on Arber, but rather his brother Florian Xhekaj, who is set to make his NHL debut, skating on the third line. Florian has put in the work and is another tough player who will look to bring energy to help the Canadiens turn things around. The Xhekaj brothers will share the ice for the first time of many tonight, and what better way to make your NHL debut than Saturday night at home in a rivalry game vs. the Leafs.

Injury Report:

Toronto Maple Leafs

F Auston Matthews – Out
F Matthew Knies – Out
F Nic Roy – Out
G Anthony Stolarz – Out
D Chris Tanev – Out
D Brandon Carlo – Out

Montreal Canadiens

F Patrik Laine – Out
F Kirby Dach – Out
F Kaiden Guhle – Out
D David Reinbacher – Out
F Alex Newhook – Out

Next Game

Toronto – November 26 at Columbus Blue Jackets
Montreal – November 26 at Utah Mammoth

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