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It was a wild weekend in the NHL, though not due to the game being played on the ice. In fact, it was the Boston Bruins who set the league aflame by signing Mitchell Miller to an entry-level deal. The 20-year-old defenceman was previously drafted by the Arizona Coyotes before they rescinded the pick, as fans revolted across the league after finding out about Miller’s history of bullying.
The Bruins faced the same pressure as the Coyotes and ended up releasing Miller from his contract by Sunday. It was an embarrassing chapter for the Bruins and the league in general, and it appeared to throw off Boston in Toronto as they suffered just their second loss of the season.
Toronto Maple Leafs to beat Vegas Golden Knights 1.83
Speaking of Toronto, even with their goaltending in a major flux after injuries to both Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov, the team has started to play to expectations of late, especially Auston Matthews, who has four goals and six points in his last four games.
Now that Toronto’s top line is playing as well as their second line, they’re a much more dangerous team to deal with. Vegas is no shrinking violet either, so this isn’t an easy game by any means, but even with the run of wins Vegas is on currently, their play has started to get sloppy. Allowing four goals to both the Senators and Canadiens isn’t going to be good enough against the Leafs.
Montreal Canadiens (+1.5) vs Detroit Red Wings 1.55
The last time the Canadiens faced the Red Wings they played their worst game of the season, with the Red Wings controlling 81 per cent of the high danger chances and 77.5 per cent of the expected goals in a 3-1 win. The only reason it was close was a brilliant performance by Jake Allen.
I can’t see a disparity like that happening again, and both teams have drifted closer to average in the games since, while the Red Wings have been in several low-scoring games in recent weeks. That tendency of tight scorelines should allow a one-line team like Montreal to keep things close.
Alex DeBrincat to score anytime vs Vancouver Canucks 2.40
A career 15 per cent shooter, Alex DeBrincat is having a nightmare start to his career in Ottawa from a goalscoring perspective, netting just two goals on a whopping 49 shots, and one of them was on an empty net. His one goal on a goaltender this season was a one-timer on a bouncing puck in the slot after a turnover, so eventually he’ll start finishing plays.
He has a great opportunity to turn this start on its head against a team that gives up a ton of goals like the Canucks, especially late in games where Vancouver is leading and when DeBrincat will get lots of ice time.
Edmonton Oilers to beat Tampa Bay Lightning 2.37
On the second half of a back-to-back set with travel, this is going to be one of the few games this season where the Oilers’ opponents will be heavily favoured, especially against the three-time Stanley Cup finalist Tampa Bay Lightning. However, the Lightning have been up and down this year.
Meanwhile, Leon Draisailt and Connor McDavid show no signs of slowing down at all, and you have to wonder how strong the Oilers would look if they didn’t have to play afternoon games. This will also be a big game for goaltender Jack Campbell, who is a couple bad games away from losing the presumptive starter spot to Stuart Skinner.