Saturday, Jan. 16
Maple Leafs minus 1 1/2 goals plus $1.20 (puck line) at Senators
The Senators finished 30th out of 31 teams last season. The Maple Leafs have the talent to seriously contend for the Stanley Cup.
Maturity, not talent, is the question regarding Toronto.
The Maple Leafs opened with a narrow home victory against Montreal in overtime, overcoming a two goal deficit. Toronto then took an early lead against the supposedly hapless Senators last night. The Maple Leafs, apparently overconfident and full of themselves, proceeded to get thoroughly outplayed giving up three goals during the final 10:30 of the second period in a 5-3 loss.
Fredrik Andersen didn't play well in net. Neither did defenseman Morgan Reilly, nor Auston Matthews who was minus three during his time of the ice. Now the specter of getting swept by the Senators during the opening weekend of the season lurks for the Maple Leafs. So expect a much more determined effort by the Maple Leafs - both physically and mentally. Andersen is likely to be replaced by Jack Campbell in net for this game. Reilly is primed for a big season and Matthews is in the argument for best player in the NHL.
Ottawa looks improved with nine new faces making their Senators debut last night, including former Penguins goalie Matt Murray. It's going to take the Senators a while to jell without a preseason for their many new teammates, though. They pulled their upset surprise Friday. I don't see it happening again today. Neither does the oddsmaker making the Maple Leafs such a heavy favorite. So I'm going with the puck line, laying 1 1/2 goals, to turn this line into a plus profit in the belief this is a kill spot for Toronto.
I am 48-28-1 o my last 77 NBA premium plays, 160-108-5 in college basketball plays the past three seasons and 9-1-1 on my last 11 NFL totals plays with a Triple Star NFL totals play heading up my large Saturday card. I have three NHL premium plays going today in addition to this free selection looking to beat the NHL for a fifth straight year. I am 4-1 the past two days in the NHL, including cashing a plus $1.72 winner on the Avalanche on the puck line last night. Pregame is running a number of special discount packages. One of them is a "Big Four NHL Pro Bundle" where you get every NHL release from myself, Rocky Atkinson, JR O'Donnell and Ben Burns. You can find that along with my plays, packages, subscriptions and records here: https://pregame.com/pros/stephen-nover.
Best of luck and no bad beats!