Leafs and Habs set for first-round rematch on opening night

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October 12, 2021

What’s the best way to stop thinking about a previous playoff defeat? How about beating them on opening night!

Sorry, Leafs fans… I didn’t mean to bring back any stinging memories.

And it may not be as high stakes as a first-round playoff series,ut the Leafs have an excellent chance to get back at Montreal for that series loss in April of last year.

They’re in a good position to do it, with Montreal lacking some of the key star power that got them to the Stanley Cup Final.

Both captain Shea Weber and starting goalie Carey Price are out for the foreseeable future … leaving massive defensive holes for the Leafs to pounce on.

They will aim to do just that, utilizing the high-flying offence of the top line, which will be headlined by Mitch Marner.

Notably absent for Toronto? The reigning Rocket winner in Auston Matthews.

But if the Leafs can build on their preseason strides, most notably with Marner’s power play production, their offensive depth could prove to be difficult to handle even without Matthews.

The wild card? Goaltending.

The Leafs will once again enter the season with a carousel in net. Jack Campbell starts Wednesday, and new acquisition Petr Mrazekstarts Thursday in Ottawa.

Campbell will aim to continue his strong regular season play from 2021… where he set an NHL record with 11 straight wins to start a season.

The Leafs are a safe pick in this one. And with the question mark in Montreal’s net in Jake Allen, take the over!

Here are my picks: