Rogers Arena is playing host a cross-country matchup as the Vancouver Canucks take on the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. CBC Sports will showcase the game, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
With a -140 moneyline, Toronto heads into the game as the substantial favorite. The line for Vancouver sits at +120, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Toronto is 17-10 straight up (SU) and has netted 3.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. 14 of its matches have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just three have pushed. The Leafs are 9-5 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Toronto has converted on 23.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.8 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Leafs have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game during the 2017-18 season, and 3.0 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 31.4 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (15-8-1) has been the best option in goal for Toronto this year. If head coach Mike Babcock decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to Curtis McElhinney (2-2), who has a .900 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average this year.
Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Maple Leafs. Matthews (26 points) is up to 13 goals and 13 assists, and has recorded two or more points in seven different games. Kadri has 13 goals and 10 assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 17 games).
On the other side of the ice, Vancouver is 12-14 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team is 3-8 SU as the home team.
The Canucks have converted on just 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.3 percent of all penalties.
Canucks skaters have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (26.0 saves per game) has been the top netminder in goal for the Canucks. Markstrom has six wins, 12 losses, and three overtime losses to his name and has maintained a pedestrian 2.63 goals against average and a subpar .909 save percentage this year.
The Nucks offense will be led by Brock Boeser (13 goals, 12 assists).
Toronto Maple Leafs at Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Vancouver is 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 1-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of Vancouver’s last five games.
Six of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
Toronto skaters have accounted for the 10th-most hits in the league (22.4 per game).
