NHL Matchup - November 27, 2007

The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, both struggling of late, will try to shake off their recent woes when the archrivals square off Tuesday night at the Air Canada Centre.

The Maple Leafs will be looking to end a three-game skid to avoid losing four straight in regulation for the first time since a five-game losing streak in 2006. The Canadiens have lost five of their past eight games, and have suffered consecutive regulation losses for the first time this season.

Despite their troubles on and off the ice, the Maple Leafs have matched up well against the Canadiens in recent games, getting at least one point in their past five meetings (3-0-2 SU, including 2-0-1 this season). Head-to-head over the past 10 clashes, Toronto is 6-1-0-3 SU. The clubs last met on Nov. 13, when Montreal won 4-3 in Toronto.
 
On top of their defensive struggles and the calls for a management shakeup, the Leafs can now add offense to their list of problems. Toronto’s scored three or fewer goals in 12 straight games.

In their last games, Montreal was shutout 3-0 by the Buffalo Sabres at home on Saturday, while Toronto lost 5-1 on the road against the Phoenix Coyotes, also Saturday.

Montreal-Toronto matchups have been trending Over in recent games, with the total going Over in four of Montreal's past six games against Toronto, and Over in nine of Montreal's past 12 on the road against Toronto. As well, the total has gone Over in 10 of Toronto's past 14 games at home.

Montreal will start Carey Price in net. Cristobal Huet has struggled against Toronto, going 0-3-1 with a 4.23 goals-against average in his past four starts. Vesa Toskala will be in goal for Toronto.

Betting Line: Toronto is a slight favorite (-105) at Sportbet. The over/under is 6.