Two teams that split their season series (one win apiece) last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche take the ice at the Pepsi Center for an East-versus-West showdown. This one will get started at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29 and it is being shown live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
Toronto is 23-15 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 38 regular season outings, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just three have pushed. This 2017-18 Maple Leafs team is 12-10 SU on the road.
Toronto has converted on 22.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 82.5 percent of its penalties.
The Leafs, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 5.2 per game over its past five. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .923 save percentage and 31.5 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (20-11-1) has been the best option in goal for Toronto this year. Andersen played last night, however, so head coach Mike Babcock may choose to rest him and instead go with Curtis McElhinney (3-4 record, .916 save percentage, 2.78 goals against average).
The visiting Maple Leafs have relied on Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner this year. Matthews (29 points) has tallied 15 goals and 14 assists, and has recorded two or more points nine times. Marner has five goals and 24 assists to his name (and has notched a point in 15 games).
Colorado is 17-19 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.1 units this year. 21 of its outings have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 10-8 SU at home this season.
The Avalanche have converted on just 18.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Avalanche skaters have been called for penalties 4.4 times per game in total this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 15.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Semyon Varlamov (28.8 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for the Avalanche. Varlamov has 12 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has recorded a mediocre 2.94 goals against average and a poor .909 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Nathan MacKinnon (15 goals, 25 assists).
Toronto Maple Leafs at Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Colorado is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in three of Toronto’s last five games.
Six of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
