Facing each other for the final time this year, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Nashville Predators take the ice at Bridgestone Arena for an East-West matchup. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22, and it can be viewed live on TVA Sports.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Nashville Predators Odds
Earning 17.2 units for moneyline bettors, Nashville is 48-24 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL so far in the early season, is a solid improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (41-41). Through 72 regular season outings, 36 of its games have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 25-11 SU at home.
The Predators have converted on 20.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
The Predators, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.5 times per game overall this season, 4.8 per game over their past five contests total, and 5.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 10.6 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
With a .931 save percentage and 29.4 saves per game, Pekka Rinne (40 wins, 13 losses, and four OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Preds this year. If head coach Peter Laviolette chooses to give him a rest, however, Nashville may roll with Juuse Saros (8-12-12 record, .925 save percentage, 2.37 goals against average).
Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg will both lead the offensive attack for the Predators. Arvidsson (55 points) has put up 26 goals and 29 assists and has recorded two or more points on 15 separate occasions this year. Forsberg has 21 goals and 32 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 36 games.
Over on the other bench, Toronto is 43-30 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.3 units this year. A total of 37 of its outings have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under and just four have pushed. The Maple Leafs are 18-20 SU as a road team this season.
The Maple Leafs have converted on 23.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully defended 82.4 percent of all penalties.
Toronto’s skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.2 times per game in total this season, 3.0 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Frederik Andersen (2.82 goals against average and .918 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto. Andersen is averaging 30.8 saves per game and owns a 35-24-5 record.
Mitchell Marner (19 goals, 42 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Maple Leafs.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Over Nashville’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-0 in those games).
Penalties and power plays could have a key role in this game. The Maple Leafs are 16-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 32-28 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Predators are 17-5 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 24-13 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Two of Toronto’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 7-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in four of Nashville’s last five outings.
Nashville has allowed 2.5 goals per game overall this year, but has driven that figure down to 1.3 per contest over its four-game winning streak.
Nashville skaters have averaged 15.6 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.6 giveaways per game (ranked 16th in the league).
Toronto has averaged 8.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 12.0 giveaways per game (ranked 27th in the league).
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