Madison Square Garden is the site for an Original Six showdown as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the New York Rangers. It’s the third and last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. This one gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1 and it will be televised live on MSG Network.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers Odds
Though the team is 29-23 straight up (SU) this season, Toronto has actually lost 1.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. 24 of its outings have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just four have pushed. This 2017-18 Maple Leafs team is 15-13 SU on the road.
Toronto has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and it has successfully killed off 83.3 percent of its penalties.
Toronto, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box just 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over its last ten. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 5.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .922 save percentage and 31.0 saves per game, Frederik Andersen (25-18-4) has been the top option in goal for Toronto this year. Andersen played last night, however, so the team might decide to rest him and go with Curtis McElhinney instead (4-4 record, .925 save percentage, 2.55 goals against average).
The visiting Maple Leafs will be led by Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Matthews has 39 points via 23 goals and 16 assists, and has recorded two or more points 11 times. Nylander has 10 goals and 27 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in 28 games).
New York is 25-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 50 regular season contests, 28 of its games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 17-11 SU at home this season.
New York has converted on 20.1 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 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
New York skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (28.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for New York. Lundqvist has 21 wins, 21 losses, and four overtime losses to his name and has maintained a .922 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average this year.
The home team will be led on offense by Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 29 assists).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
New York is 3-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Toronto is 4-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of New York’s last five games.
Six of New York’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 1-5 overall in those games.
