A couple of teams that’ve positioned themselves firmly in playoff contention, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers collide at Madison Square Garden in an Original Six showdown. This one gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23 and it can be watched live on CBC Sports.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers Odds
Toronto is 21-15 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 36 regular season matches, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just three have pushed. This 2017-18 Maple Leafs team is 10-10 SU on the road.
Toronto has converted on 22.5 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for eighth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.0 percent of its penalties.
The Leafs, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .923 save percentage and 31.6 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (18-11-1) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto this season. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Mike Babcock may roll with Curtis McElhinney (3-4), who has a .916 save percentage and 2.78 goals against average this year.
Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner will both lead the way for the visiting Maple Leafs. Matthews has 26 points on 13 goals and 13 assists, and has recorded two or more points eight times. Marner has four goals and 21 assists to his name (and has logged a point in 13 games).
New York is 19-16 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 35 regular season outings, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 14-8 SU at home this year.
The Rangers have converted on just 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York skaters have been sent to the penalty box only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist has stopped 28.9 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Rangers. Lundqvist has 17 wins, 13 losses, and three overtime losses to his name and has recorded a 2.59 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this year.
The home team offense will be led by Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 21 assists).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of New York’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 1-3 overall in shootouts this year.
The total has gone under in three of New York’s last five outings.
Toronto has attempted 30.6 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 23rd in the NHL), and 28.4 in its last five road outings.
Six of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
