Los Angeles Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Free Prediction 10/15/18

Two teams that split their head-to-head series one win apiece a year ago, the Los Angeles Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs clash at Scotiabank Arena for a cross-continent tilt. Fox Sports West will showcase the matchup, which gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, October 15.

Los Angeles Kings at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds

Toronto enters the game as the obvious favorite with a -215 moneyline. The line for Los Angeles sits at +180 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -120 for the over and +100 for the under.

Earning moneyline bettors 2.1 units, Toronto is 5-1 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, second-best in the league so far in this young season, is a solid improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (49-33). Among its six games this season, four have gone over the total, while two have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 1-1 SU at home this year.

The Leafs have successfully scored on 47.1 percent of their power play chances thus far. That’s a noticeable improvement from last season, when they were ranked second in the league by scoring on 25.0 percent of their extra-man opportunities. Their penalty kill has gotten stronger year-over-year as they’ve gone from successfully defending 80.2 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 16th overall last season) to 81.3 percent this year.

The Maple Leafs, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 2.8 times per game this season. Last year, they posted the second-lowest mark in the league with 3.3 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 6.5 minutes per outing this season.

Averaging 26.8 saves per game with a .899 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (4-1) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto this year. If head coach Mike Babcock chooses to give him the evening off, however, Toronto could roll with Garret Sparks (1-0 record, .806 save percentage, 5.97 goals against average).

Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly will each look to continue their strong starts for the Maple Leafs. Matthews (14 points) is up to 10 goals and four assists while Rielly has three goals and 10 assists to his name so far in the season’s early stages.

On the visitors’ side of the ice, Los Angeles is 2-3 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of three of its outings have gone under the total, while one has gone over and one has pushed. The Kings are 1-2 SU as a road team this season.

The Kings have scored on 0.0 percent of their power play chances this year after converting on 19.8 percent of their extra-man opportunities in 2017-18 (a mark that was right at league average). The team’s gone from killing off 85.3 percent of opponent power plays (ranked first overall last season) to 73.3 percent in 2018-19.

Los Angeles’ skaters have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game this season, a number that’s fairly close to the 3.8 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 8.8 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to kill penalties for 9.8 minutes per matchup this season.

Jack Campbell (2.30 goals against average and .938 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Los Angeles. Campbell is averaging 30.0 saves per game and has two wins and two losses to his credit.

Alex Iafallo (two goals, two assists) and Tyler Toffoli (one goal, three assists) have been standout playmakers for Los Angeles and will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Kings.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions

Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Over

Click Here to Start Betting Today!