The United Center is playing host an Original Six tilt as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. NBC Sports Network will air the game, which gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 24.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Toronto (-105) is entering this one as the underdog to Toronto (-115) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -110 for the over and -110 for the under.
Toronto is 26-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 49 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just four have pushed. This 2017-18 Maple Leafs team is 13-13 SU on the road.
Toronto has converted on 20.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of its penalties.
The Leafs, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box just 3.6 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 1.8 per game over its past five outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 31.0 saves per game with a .920 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (23-18-4) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto this season. If Toronto chooses to rest him, however, they may roll with Curtis McElhinney (3-4), who has a .916 save percentage and 2.78 goals against average this year.
Auston Matthews and William Nylander will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Maple Leafs. Matthews has 36 points on 21 goals and 15 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games. Nylander has nine goals and 24 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 25 games).
Chicago is 22-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. 25 of its contests have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 12-12 SU at home this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 14.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
Chicago players have been sent to the penalty box 3.7 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their last five match ups total, and 3.6 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses and has recorded a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this year.
Patrick Kane (20 goals, 28 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Hawks.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The Blackhawks are 4-7 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Maple Leafs are 14-10 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
Two of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-1 overall in shootouts this season.
Toronto could hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s an impressive 14-8 in one-goal games, while Chicago is 7-10 in such games.
The under has hit in four of Chicago’s last five outings.
Chicago has averaged 3.0 goals per game overall this year, but is averaging 1.0 goal per matchup over its three-game losing skid.
Chicago is ranked 12th this season with 9.0 giveaways per game. That figure has improved recently, however, as it’s averaged 7.7 giveaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 giveaways over its last five.
Toronto has averaged 6.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 11.7 giveaways per game (ranked 27th in the league).
