A couple of the least-penalized clubs in the league, the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs face off at Air Canada Centre in an Eastern Conference tilt. The match will get going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, and you will be able to witness the game live on Sportsnet.
New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
New York (+160) is entering this one as the underdog to Toronto (-180), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -120 over, +100 under.
Losing -1.9 units for moneyline bettors, Toronto is 28-23 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Atlantic Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Out of its 51 regular season matches, 24 of them have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team is 13-10 SU at home this season.
The Maple Leafs have connected on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
The Maple Leafs, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five outings home outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 31.1 saves per game with a .920 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (24 wins, 18 losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Leafs this season. If Toronto decides to give him a breather, however, head coach Mike Babcock may go with Curtis McElhinney (4-4-4 record, .925 save percentage, 2.55 goals against average).
Auston Matthews and William Nylander will each lead the offensive attack for the Maple Leafs. Matthews (37 points) has put up 22 goals and 15 assists and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games this year. Nylander has 10 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 27 contests.
On the other side of the rink, New York is 25-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 32 of its matches have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just three have pushed. As the road team, the Islanders are 12-15 SU so far.
The Islanders have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.5 percent of all penalties.
New York’s players have been penalized only 3.5 times per game this season, and 1.6 per game over their past five match ups. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak (30.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for New York. Halak owns a 15-19-3 record, and has registered a .909 save percentage and 3.16 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Islanders will be John Tavares (26 goals, 31 assists) and Josh Bailey (12 goals, 43 assists).
New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Toronto’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-1 overall in shootouts this season.
The under has hit in three of Toronto’s last five games.
Toronto’s attempted 31.3 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 20th in the NHL), and 36.4 in their last five home outings.
Over New York’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
