A couple of the least-penalized teams in the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs collide at Air Canada Centre in an Eastern Conference tilt. The puck drops at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, and fans at home can catch it live on Fox Sports Carolina.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto is 20-14 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.8 units this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Atlantic Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 34 games this season, 16 have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 10-5 SU at home this season.
The Maple Leafs have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 14th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Maple Leafs have been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.7 per game over their past ten contests. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 5.7 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 31.6 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (17-11-1) has been the best option in goal for Toronto this season. If the Leafs, however, decide to give him the day off, head coach Mike Babcock may roll with Curtis McElhinney (3-3-3 record, .921 save percentage, 2.55 goals against average).
The Leafs will continue to rely on offensive production via Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri. Matthews (26 points) has tallied 13 goals and 13 assists and has recorded two or more points in eight different games this year. Kadri has 13 goals and 10 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 18 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Carolina is 14-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 15 of its games have gone over the total, while an additional 15 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Hurricanes are 7-11 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 14.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully defended 78.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina’s players have been whistled for penalties only 2.8 times per game this season, 2.6 per game over their last five games total, and 2.4 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling (.903 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Carolina. Darling is averaging 24.3 saves per game and owns an 8-15-6 record.
For the visiting Hurricanes, the offense will be facilitated through Teuvo Teravainen (eight goals, 16 assists) and Justin Williams (seven goals, 16 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes at Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this season.
The under has hit in three of Toronto’s last five outings.
The Hurricanes have averaged the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.8) and Toronto has attempted the 26th-most (just 30.1).
Toronto has averaged 3.2 goals per game this year, but has been averaging 1.0 goal per contest over its three-game losing streak.
Six of Toronto’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 2-4 overall in those games.
