Early bragging rights north of the border are on the line Thursday night in Toronto as Original Six rivals Montreal and Toronto ? the two largest cities in Canada ? drop the puck on the 2011-12 season. Bet on the game with Bodog?s NHL hockey odds.
The Leafs actually open with their first five games at home so it might be important for them to get off to a good start. The clubs split the season-series last season, with the Canadiens earning a 4-1 decision in the regular-season finale in April behind a pair of power-play goals by captain Brian Gionta.
Toronto likely will be without first-line center Tim Connolly tonight. He is being called doubtful with a shoulder injury. Connolly played for the Sabres last season and had 13 goals and 29 assists in 68 games. He got a two-year deal in the offseason from Toronto. Now it likely will be Tyler Bozak next to Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul on the top line. Coach Ron Wilson said he believes Kessel can score 40 goals this year, with the winger coming off seasons of 36, 30, and 32 goals.
The Canadiens also will be missing a key piece for the opener as defenseman Andrei Markov is sidelined with a knee injury. He missed all but seven games last season with a torn ACL. Offseason acquisition Erik Cole will likely play alongside Tomas Plekanec and left wing Michael Cammalleri on the club's top line to start the season.
The Habs have one of the NHL?s top goalies in Carey Price. Last year he finished with career-highs in wins (38), shutouts (8) and save percentage (.923), and a personal-best 2.35 goals-against average. Toronto?s No. 1 keeper should be 23-year-old James Reimer. Last season he went 20-10-5 with a 2.60 GAA and .921 save percentage in 37 games following his call-up to the big club last December.
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The Leafs actually open with their first five games at home so it might be important for them to get off to a good start. The clubs split the season-series last season, with the Canadiens earning a 4-1 decision in the regular-season finale in April behind a pair of power-play goals by captain Brian Gionta.
Toronto likely will be without first-line center Tim Connolly tonight. He is being called doubtful with a shoulder injury. Connolly played for the Sabres last season and had 13 goals and 29 assists in 68 games. He got a two-year deal in the offseason from Toronto. Now it likely will be Tyler Bozak next to Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul on the top line. Coach Ron Wilson said he believes Kessel can score 40 goals this year, with the winger coming off seasons of 36, 30, and 32 goals.
The Canadiens also will be missing a key piece for the opener as defenseman Andrei Markov is sidelined with a knee injury. He missed all but seven games last season with a torn ACL. Offseason acquisition Erik Cole will likely play alongside Tomas Plekanec and left wing Michael Cammalleri on the club's top line to start the season.
The Habs have one of the NHL?s top goalies in Carey Price. Last year he finished with career-highs in wins (38), shutouts (8) and save percentage (.923), and a personal-best 2.35 goals-against average. Toronto?s No. 1 keeper should be 23-year-old James Reimer. Last season he went 20-10-5 with a 2.60 GAA and .921 save percentage in 37 games following his call-up to the big club last December.
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