Atlantic Division Betting Preview: PointsBet Canada Overs & Unders
By: Aleem Kanji
Buffalo Sabres
Over 68.5 -115
Under 68.5 -115
82-Game Pace 54.18
The Buffalo Sabres have been in turmoil all offseason. The Jack Eichel saga did not clear itself up and will continue into the season. It’s virtually impossible for him to ever play for them ever again. At least, the team knows where it stands. In goal, they will rely on 40-year-old journeyman Craig Anderson and 32-year-old career AHLer Dustin Tokarski. I will be surprised if they have a combined save percentage above .870
The Sabres are entering another rebuild, but their No. 1 overall pick from last summer’s draft, Owen Power, will instead spend another year at the University of Michigan. Frankly, there is not much NHL talent here. There are a few complementary pieces in Victor Olofsson and Casey Mittelstadt, but no real river pushers. On defense, a previous No. 1 overall pick, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin,has not had the support to give him long-term success. Behind him, are mostly bottom pairing defensemen.
The Sabres are going to be bad. Everyone knows it, the question is will they or the Coyotes be the worst in the league? Both have their point totals in the high 60s. However, I think the Sabres have a little more talent than the Coyotes, which could help Buffalo keep itself out of the basement. Take the over on Sabres 68.5 points.
Montreal Canadiens
Over 89.5 -125
Under 89.5 -105
82-Game Pace 101.04
The Canadiens lost the Stanley Cup to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021. They then proceeded to lose Shea Weber (foot injury), Carey Price (knee injury; NHLPA substance program), Paul Byron (hip surgery), Philipp Danault (UFA), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (offer sheet) . They will have to rely on Jake Allen until Price returns. Allen filled in very well last year, but there are still questions that he has to answer about being a No. 1 goalie.
Jeff Petry has proven he can lead the blue line before during a Shea Weber injury. He contributed on both sides of the ice all year playing shutdown defense and being the seventh-highest scoring defenseman. Alex Romanov should take another step after occasionally seeming overwhelmed last year. Jonathon Drouin returns to the team and will give the Habs a boost in scoring. Christian Dvorak will provide the depth that they need to shoulder some of the losses, especially that of Kotkaniemi.
Head coach Dominique Ducharme was supposed to be an interim coach last year, but the playoff run forced management’s hand. He was lucky that Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki bailed him out in the first round. But, he still made some questionable decisions. Based on all of the losses, the Habs will be in tough to make the postseason. I do not see how they can compete with the powerhouses of the Atlantic division. Take the under 89.5 points on the Canadiens.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Over 106.5 -120
Under 106.5 -110
82-Game Pace 112.50
In the offseason, the Leafs were pretty up against the cap, so didn’t have the flexibility to make significant changes to their roster, other than bringing in some depth pieces. The one area where the Maple Leafs made major changes was in goal, where they brought in Petr Mrazek from Carolina to replace Frederik Andersen. However, after another first round playoff exit, the pressure on this Leafs core is that if they again fail to advance beyond the first round, the organization may choose to clean house. To complement Mrazek in goal, the Leafs are hoping that Jack Campbell can provide a strong enough 1-2 punch to keep pace in the competitive Atlantic Division. Campbell was pretty impressive when he got the chance to play last year. But, has never played more than 30 NHL games in a season.
The Leafs’ forwards are some of the best in the league. Auston Matthews will be a threat to score 50 goals this year and even has a chance to lead the league. On the wing, Mitch Marner and William Nylander are going to give every team fits and will be right there in the top of the standings. The Leafs’ defense was remade last year when they brought in TJ Brodie. He steadied the blue line and allowed Morgan Rielly the chance to be used in a more offensive role. Rielly will be a UFA next year, and probably will not be brought back. So, the Leafs are going to start looking to Rasmus Sandin and Travis Dermot to fill in there.
Leafs fans do not care about the regular season, as long as they get out of the first round this year. Looking at their over under, the number is actually quite high. Last year, they beat up on the very weak North Division to get their 112.50-point pace. Now, they are in a division with three potential cup favourites. Take the under on the Leafs 106.5 points.
